Fire At Chevron Refinery in Richmond, CA, Sends Scores to Hospitals

"Thousands of East Bay residents were ordered to stay in their homes with the windows and doors closed Monday night after a series of explosions and fires tore through Chevron's Richmond refinery."



"The explosions started about 6:15 p.m., and at least two large fires spewed thick, black smoke into the darkening sky.

The fire started at the refinery's No. 4 Crude Unit, Chevron officials said. Just before 6:30 p.m., an inspection crew discovered that there was a diesel leak in a line in the unit - and that the leak was growing. ...

All employees had been accounted for and there were no fatalities, but one refinery worker suffered burns to his wrist and was treated at the on-site clinic."

Justin Berton, Kevin Fagan, and Vivian Ho report for the San Francisco Chronicle August 7, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"Residents Flood San Francisco Bay Area Hospitals After Refinery Fire Spews Thick Black Smoke" (AP)

"Chevron: Fire Contained at Refinery in SF Bay Area" (AP)

"Chevron's California Refinery Fire Contained, Not Out Yet" (Reuters)

"Richmond Refinery Fire Could Affect Gasoline Prices: Analysts" (Oakland Tribune)
 

Source: San Francisco Chronicle, 08/07/2012