The Chevron Refinery in Richmond experienced a flareup on Tuesday, releasing an "unknown" amount of hazardous materials in the air.
Fire officials have confirmed the flaring event to KCBS Radio but have not yet provided further details. According to a report filed by Chevron with California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, the "unplanned" event released "an unknown amount of (sulfur dioxide) into the atmosphere."
It put up a lot of visible, black smoke seen from across the bay.
Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, a native of Richmond, called it "major" and "one of the larger flaring incidents I've seen."
No injuries have been reported, and no shelter-in-place orders were issued.
The smoke dissipated from its origin at about 3:10 p.m.
Officials from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Contra Costa County are on scene conducting inspections, Gioia added. He labeled the 13 flaring incidents at the refinery this year as "clearly problematic."
"In addition to (the air district) issuing fines and penalties, the county looks at ordering changes to the underlying process that might've caused this flaring," Gioa told KCBS Radio in an interview.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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