Explosion Sparks Large Fire at Martinez Refinery
A hydrocarbon leak triggered an explosion and massive fire at the Martinez Refining Company on Saturday, leading to a shelter-in-place advisory for several hours as thick black smoke drifted over Martinez, Pacheco, and Clyde.
All employees at the refinery, located at 3495 Pacheco Blvd., were accounted for. During a press briefing around 5:20 p.m., Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Bob Atlas confirmed that three individuals sustained minor, unspecified injuries. Sirens continued to wail in the background as Atlas described the fire as “burning ferociously,” with an undetermined amount of fuel still feeding the flames. No timeline was provided for when the blaze might be fully contained.
Authorities reported that a hydrocarbon leak was the source of the ignition, though details about the specific type of fuel involved or the exact cause of the leak remained unclear as of Saturday evening. Officials were working to identify the precise composition of the smoke.
Emergency crews responded promptly after receiving the first call around 1:47 p.m. Fire Prevention Captain Ted Leach explained that crews faced challenges in pinpointing the exact origin of the fire upon arrival. Atlas attributed this to the complex industrial environment.
Witnesses reported flames soaring up to 200 feet into the air, with vast plumes of black smoke carried eastward by the wind.
By 5 p.m., Contra Costa Health Services issued a Level 3 alert, advising residents in areas north and east of the refinery to shelter in place. Public defense sirens were activated, and the advisory covered regions from Mountain View Drive to Vine Hill Road, Avon Way, and toward the Benicia Bridge. Although the shelter-in-place order was lifted around 9:15 p.m., a public health advisory remained in effect.
Several road closures were implemented, including Shell Avenue and the Marina Vista Avenue ramps to and from Interstate 680, though the freeway itself remained open. In addition to local fire crews, Chevron Fire teams and Coast Guard units responded to the emergency, with Coast Guard activity noted in the Carquinez Strait, approximately three miles from the refinery.
A county alert issued around 2 p.m. warned of potential health risks, particularly for individuals with respiratory sensitivities. Initially categorized as a Level 2 incident—indicating a hazardous materials release with potential off-site health impacts—the advisory urged vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, to remain indoors.
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