MARTINEZ, Calif. (KRON) — Now to the East Bay for an update on Saturday’s fire at the Martinez Refining Company. Contra Costa Health has not yet lifted the health advisory for people who have respiratory issues – saying these people should remain indoors and keep their windows closed.
The fire was caused by a leak of hydrocarbon material, according to a social media post from the Martinez Refinery Company. Around 1:30 p.m. Saturday, two workers were opening equipment ahead of maintenance on one of the refinery’s process units.
They immediately evacuated the area as the material caught fire. The two workers were unharmed, according to the refinery.
For many local residents, they say Saturday’s fire was frightening not only because of the towering black smoke and flames it produced but also because they feel neither the city nor county did their job of notifying them when the fire started.
“I didn’t even get a notification from saying what happened and three hours later at 5 p.m. I’m getting a notification of shelter in place,” said Vicki, a Martinez resident.
Brianne Zorn, the mayor of Martinez, acknowledges the large outcry from residents wanting more transparency from the refinery.
“The mayor was silent,” Vicki said. “There were no notifications, no alerts.”
In 2022, the Martinez Refining Company had a major chemical release incident. Because of this, the City of Martinez created an information system called “Martinez Alerts”.
Congressman John Grarmendi, who represents five oil refineries in his district, including the Martinez Refining Company – says the Martinez Refining Company has a long history of maintenance issues, emission problems and fires — like Saturday.
“And the current situation follows along that same pattern, unfortunately, the refinery hasn’t been able to provide the necessary improvements to their infrastructure to have these problems disappear,” Garamendi said
Garamendi says it’s been a “rocky path,” but his team is working to make changes to oil refineries, like the transition from crude oil to biofuels.
Contra Costa Health, Contra Costa Hazmat, and the air district responded to Saturday’s fire.
Zorn says the city is diligently working with the refinery to get answers.
“I think at this time, I think it is important for our community to understand that the correct people have responded to the incident,” Zorn said.
Garamendi also wants the Martinez Refining Company to explain what hazards Saturday’s fire may have caused to the public’s health.
“Definitely there will be a cleanup,” he said. “There are hazardous materials that have undoubtedly resulted from this fire, and those will need to be dealt with.”
“It’s still a little premature to know exactly what violations may have occurred but from our perspective, it’s the city’s responsibility to communicate all the information that we have to our residents and will do that as soon as that information has been passed along to us,” Zorn said.
For Vicky, she says she no longer wants to be left in the dark.. She wants more transparency from the city and the Martinez Refining Company.
“It’s a great place to live,” Vicki said. “But when you live next to the refinery you would want to know it’s dangerous if there’s a health advisory when it happens — not 2-3 hours later.”
MARTINEZ, Calif. (KRON) — Now to the East Bay for an update on Saturday’s fire at the Martinez Refining Company. Contra Costa Health has not yet lifted the health advisory for people who have respiratory issues – saying these people should remain indoors and keep their windows closed. The fire was caused by a leak […]
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