An oil refinery in California has exploded.

A leak at the Martinez Refining Company in California has resulted in an explosion and fire. The facility is located just a few dozen kilometers from Oakland and San Francisco.

This was reported by The Mercury News.

"All employees present at the site were evacuated. At a press conference, Contra Costa County Fire Battalion Chief Bob Atlas stated that three workers sustained minor injuries," the report mentioned.

Authorities indicated that the fire was caused by a hydrocarbon leak.

"We are currently trying to determine what exactly is in this plume of smoke," Atlas said.

The Martinez Refining Company stated that the fire is "burning fiercely," the amount of residual fuel is unknown, and they declined to provide an estimated timeline for extinguishing it.

Crews arrived at the site but faced challenges in identifying the source of the blaze.

The incident at the refinery resulted in a large fire. Flames soared 200 feet into the air, creating massive black clouds that drifted eastward. Plant employees were evacuated and gathered on Pacheco Boulevard, near the facility.

Due to health risks to local residents, the Contra Costa Health Department issued a level 3 alert and implemented shelter-in-place orders for areas to the north and east of the refinery. Affected areas included Mountain View Drive, Vine Hill Road, Avon Way, and the city of Benicia. The shelter-in-place order lasted until 9:15 PM, after which protective recommendations remained in effect for the impacted areas.

To ensure safety, entrances and exits from Shell Avenue and Marina Vista Avenue onto Interstate 680 were closed, although the highway itself remained open. Chevron Fire and the Coast Guard were on-site.

Simultaneously, a warning was issued in the county regarding potential health issues for individuals sensitive to respiratory conditions, along with a recommendation for children and the elderly to stay indoors. The fire was classified as a level 2 incident, indicating potential hazardous health effects, particularly for those sensitive to toxic fumes.