Frustration over Martinez refinery fire as probe focuses on leak
MARTINEZ, Calif. - Martinez residents and community leaders voiced outrage Monday after a refinery sent smoke billowing into the air and generated dozens of complaints.
Hydrocarbon leak
What we know:
"Irritated," said Chandra Crigger as she sat in her car outside a nearby laundromat. "Saw the flames and the smoke and black smoke. I've lived here for 10 years and never did I experience anything like that."
The fire broke out Saturday afternoon at the Martinez Refining Company. Officials said the blaze resulted from a hydrocarbon leak. The Bay Area Air District said there were complaints in the hours before the fire about oil and gas odors at the plant.
The refinery said the fire has been controlled, and an initial investigation is focusing on whether a leak that may have occurred during maintenance activities contributed to the fire.
The refinery said it is "deeply sorry for the disruption and concern we have caused the community."
Six workers were observed by medical personnel, but no serious injuries were reported.
Violations
Why you should care:
There are concerns about longer-lasting after-effects from the fire, and on Monday, the Bay Area Air District issued two notices of violation to the refinery, alleging public nuisance, excessive smoke, and soot fallout.
"It was scary and alarming to be on site and to see this fire," said Contra Costa County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston, a former member of the Pittsburg City Council. "We'll be looking into root causes, you know, how did it happen, why did it happen, and what can we do to make sure that this doesn't happen again."
Attorney Blair Kittle has filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the refinery for previous chemical releases.
"This big plume of smoke—who knows what's in it—is going out into those communities," Kittle said."Potentially people are breathing it, it's potentially going out into people's vegetable gardens, it's potentially being taken down by the rain and put into the water, perhaps drinking water or the bay."
Contra Costa County health officials said an advisory remains in effect, recommending anyone with respiratory sensitivity in Martinez, Pacheco, and Clyde to stay indoors. The health department's hazmat team is out in the field monitoring air quality.
"It's extremely concerning that a heavy industry like this is having events like this so close to where people live," Kittle said.
Henry Lee is a KTVU reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan
The Source: Information for this story comes from interviews, the Martinez Refining Company, and local health officials.