Martinez, California (KGO) – A shelter order on site for residents near the Martinez Refining Co. was lifted on Saturday evening after a fire that injured at least six people.
The sirens from the Martinez Refining Company on Saturday evening were to warn residents to shelter in place.
“Any smoke that burns any fuel element will be toxic at one point. We are trying to determine what is exactly in the flow of smoke,” said battalion chief Bob Atlas with the fire protection district of the county of the county of Contra Costa.
Atlas said that around 1:40 p.m., the fire district obtained its first black smoke report from the refinery. This has reached a massive fire that has favored shelter orders on site for some parts of Martinez and Pacheco.
Six people have undergone minor injuries. Two were treated in the establishment and released. Four were taken to local hospitals. Only one remains in the hospital under surveillance.
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A unified command has been set up between the company, the fire district and the city of Martinez to supervise the fires. Other fire services have been called to help the coordinated response and keep the fire in the 860 acres refinery, the company said.
Several roads have been closed, notably Marina Vista Avenue, of the Interstate Highway 680 at short street, and Shell avenue de Marina Vista avenue in Pacheco Boulevard, said the company.
At the height of the fire, the Community Warning System of Contra Costa has published a level 3 alert, the most serious of its four -level system, which begins at level 0.
“The residents of Martinez’s parts, north of the refinery, should be sheltered in place due to smoke impacts,” according to the notification system.
“Please go inside, close all windows and doors, turn off all radiators, air conditioners and fans,” urged health residents. “If you do not use the fireplace, close the shock absorbers and the chimney vents and cover cracks around doors and windows with adhesive tape or damp towels.”
Atlas said that at 9 p.m., the fire was considerably reduced and that the shelter on site was lifted.
“Currently, we come to the deep cause of the actual flight itself. It has not yet been completely extinguished. But we are closer to stopping the entire value system,” said Atlas.
“Around 2 p.m., this incident occurred. At 4:15 p.m., the sirens started to leave. I don’t know why they did not leave earlier to alert the community,” said Marcial Barrera, Jr., Who lives who lives less than a mile from the refinery.
Barrera worked at the Chevron refinery, so he understands how a refinery works. His great concern at the moment is not to know what has been released in fire.
“It is very worrying because this is where all the gases go through the pipes. And if an incident as today was performing, it is a bad situation and a dangerous situation,” said Berrera. Jr.
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He is also concerned about the impacts that release could have on rivers and streams nearby.
“It’s very worrying because I don’t know if it’s drinking water or what,” said Barra Jr.
The Martinez Refining Company, or MRC, manufactures gas, diesel and jet fuel. It is one of the greatest employers in the County Costa County. In October, he agreed to pay $ 4.5 million to settle the allegations of violations of the Clean Water Act related to the refinery.
Brandon Matson, Public Information Manager for MRC, said the construction was carried out on site. But, he said he was still too early to find out if it contributed to the fire. However, he recognized that there was a leak.
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“What is happening in the combustion of hydrocarbons, this means that there was a leak from which they came out and ignited. But again, we will have to determine the deep cause of the incident,” said Matson.
County County County Health officials said they would continue to monitor air quality overnight until they get a little clear. Comté officials said they would work with the refinery to determine the cause of the fire.
A public health notice has remained in force for all those suffering from respiratory sensitivity to Martinez, certain parts of Pacheco and Clyde due to the smoke of the fire.
To see the county alerts, see cwsalert.com. For more information on the responses of the dangers of the county, see Cchealth.org/hazmat.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
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