Martinez refinery resumes operations after 2 fires, multiple worker injuries
MARTINEZ, Calif. (KGO) -- A worker was injured following a fire at the Martinez Refining Company Wednesday night, according to the refinery.
It happened the night before the company was expected to restart some of its refinery process units for the first time since their last reported fire on February 1.
"A generator at the refinery caught on fire while being refueled by a contract worker, who was transported offsite for medical evaluation and treatment," a spokesperson for the Martinez Refining Company said.
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On Thursday, Contra Costa County health inspectors were on site to investigate, including Nicole Heath, director of Hazardous Materials Program for Contra Costa Health.
"When we are taking about the Martinez Refining Company, we do also know that there has been a history of reoccurring incidents at a higher level, those that we classify as a major chemical accidents or releases, since 2022," Heath said.
Contra Costa health officials say the unit from Wednesday night's fire was not one of the ones being prepped for Thursday's restarting process.
CAL/OSHA also confirmed it is investigation since a contract was injured.
"I was very disappointed to hear about the fire yesterday evening. My major thoughts and concerns (are) around the safety and culture of the facility," Contra Costa County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston said.
Scales-Preston has been meeting with Martinez Refining Company, or MRC, management. And even held a town hall meeting with the MRC last month. She says progress is being made. And that the refinery is cooperating with the county. But she is still awaiting results of an investigation into the root cause of the fire.
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"It is making sure that something else within the facility is not occurring with issues. That is why a full-facility audit is necessary," Supervisor Scales-Preston said.
February's fire was the third major incident since BPF Energy purchased the refinery in 2020. PBF currently owns and operates six domestic oil refineries. It is one of the largest independent petroleum refiners and suppliers of petroleum products in the United States, and ships its products across North America.
Over the past few weeks, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued several Notice of Violations to the refinery. But the air board declined to comment, saying it's an ongoing investigation.
However, the refinery did confirm that despite Wednesday's fire, it went ahead with Thursday's scheduled restarting of some its refinery process units that were not involved in February's fire.
According to its website, MRC will "not be restarting any units that were damaged or involved in the fire... until the fourth quarter of 2025. Government representatives continue to have 24/7 access to the refinery, and we continue to cooperate with their inspectors and investigators."
Meanwhile, the county health department says on-site inspection begins next week into the root cause of February's fire. It has also moved up an every five-year safe inspection to this September. And for the first time, full-facility audit will be conducted by a third-party consultant.
"That I think is the newest tool that we have taken out of our box in addition to having the continued refinery oversight. We are very concerned," Heath said. "We still maintain continued oversight and presence at the refinery."
MORE: Over 7,000 gallons spilled during February Martinez Refining Company fire, report says
Anna Encarnacion, a member of Healthy Martinez, shot video of the refinery on her way home Wednesday night.
"When I got home, I saw there was flaring, I saw that there was smoke coming from the exact part that they said they weren't restarting which was really, really interesting right?" Encarnacion said.
Her daughter heard sirens coming from the refinery around 7:30 p.m. but neighbors say they didn't get an alert about what happened until an hour later at 8:30 p.m.
The company said 170 barrels of hydrocarbon materials burned in that fire which happened during planned equipment maintenance. It burned for three days.
Half a dozen workers were either injured or evaluated and released after that accident.
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"I don't think that that's safe, I don't think that that's reasonable," Encarnacion said. "They initially said that it would be months that they would be offline and so why are you having to restart things?"
Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia says that the county's health department will be closely monitoring the startup of the refinery's new equipment.
"We are fully aware there's always risks when units are started up so there will be hazmat inspectors there to really monitor what's happening," Gioia said. "We take this very seriously, given the recent record of incidents and fires that have occurred at this refinery."
But neighbors are still calling for more information and better transparency.
"Slow down, address the things that need to be addressed," Encarnacion said. "Put the money into the things that need to get fixed properly, and stay open and communicate with us."
As far as Thursday's startup goes, the refinery says the process is expected to take about two weeks and there will be a potential for intermittent flaring. Though they say, they plan to only flare if necessary for safety and reliability reasons.
