Flames shoot out of the Chevron Refinery in Richmond (CBS)
RICHMOND (CBS SF) – A shelter-in-place was issued for several East Bay communities after fires broke out at the Chevron refinery in Richmond Monday evening.
The fire started at the refinery’s “4 Crude Unit” at 6:15 p.m. Monday, according to a statement from Chevron.
A shot time later, at least two steady eruptions of flame were visible from CBS 5 cameras. A pair of thick plumes of smoke were also rising into the skies of the East Bay for more than two hours.
Residents of Richmond, The North Oakland Hills, North Richmond, West Richmond, Rodeo, El Cerrito and San Pablo were directed to stay in their homes until the situation could be resolved. The Richmond and El Cerrito Bay Area Rapid Transit stations were also closed.
“We have comprehensive plans and procedures in place to respond to situations like the one we are facing,” the Chevron statement read. “We are working with all appropriate local authorities.”
Chevron declined to “speculate on the cause” of the incident. The company said that all employees were safe and accounted for.
“Our priority right now is containing the fire and protecting the health and safety of our employees and the community,” the statement read.
Viewer Photos Of The Fire, Smoke
Richmond Fire Chief Michael Banks said around 7:50 p.m. that the three-alarm fire was still burning.
“It’s still going pretty good,” he said.
He said the Richmond Fire Department is assisting Chevron firefighters, and that a plume of smoke is still rising into the air.
“The cloud is fairly high up, so that’s a good thing,” he said around 7:45 p.m. “It’s definitely heading east toward the hills.”
Banks said there were reports of explosions around the time the fire started. He advised residents to stay put and stay tuned.
KCBS’ Chris Filippi Reports:
Fire Breaks Out At Chevron’s Richmond Refinery; Shelter-in-Place Ordered
An automated phone message sent out by Contra Costa Health Services stated that there has been an emergency at the refinery.
“Go inside. Close all windows and doors,” the message stated.
It advised residents to turn off heaters, air conditioners and fans, and to cover cracks around doors with tape or damp towels.
Residents are being urged to stay off the phone to keep the line free for further alerts. A siren was sounding every half-hour while the firefight continued.
Frederick Hamilton, 51, was waiting out the fire at his home on Henry Clark Lane in North Richmond near the refinery this evening. He had a headache and was coughing, and said the air was filled with a chemical odor.
“You can smell it,” he said. “I was out there in it.”
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