A massive fire spotted as far as six miles from the site began raging Monday evening at at one of the processing units at the Chevron refinery in Richmond.
No injuries were immediately reported when the fire broke out about 6:30 p.m. But officials didn't take any chances. They ordered a level 3 shelter-in-place, telling residents in Richmond, North Richmond and San Pablo to go inside, close all windows and doors, turn off all heaters, air conditioners and fans.
Chevron has its own fire department with 60 firefighters, who were on site beating back flames. Surrounding local departments and hazardous materials teams were also on site, helping out.
Nitrogen and steam was pumped on the blaze to try to extinguish it.
A Chevron spokesperson said there was one minor injury, which was treated at the on-site facility.
The fire was contained and the fire marshall recommended that the shelter in place be lifted, at about 10:30 p.m. The county health department lifted the shelter in place at 11:12 p.m.
BART had closed down the Richmond station, but it reopened around 11:30 p.m.
No one was evacuated in the area.
Officials believe the cause of the fire was a diesel leak in unit 4.
Local
This is not the first time there has been an issue with this plant. In 2006, there was an explosion at this plant that sent hundreds of people to the hospital. There also incidents in 1999 and 2007.
The last fire burned for 10 hours.
People from around the Bay Area took photos of what they could see. Here is a collection of some of their images.
[View the story "Fire Erupts at Richmond Refinery" on Storify] Storified by NBC Bay Area · Mon, Aug 06 2012 19:21:00Fire Erupts at Richmond Refinery
A fire was reported around 6:30 p.m. Monday night.at one of the processing units at the Chevron refinery in Richmond.