Fire Breaks Out at Calif. Oil Refinery
ap ^ | 1/15/07 | ap



RICHMOND, Calif. (AP) -- A fire broke out at an oil refinery Monday morning, sending flames as high as 50 feet into the air and prompting an order for residents to stay indoors, authorities said.


The fire began at about 5:24 a.m. at Chevron's Richmond Refinery, said Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials specialist Maria Duazo.


"We are asking residents to stay inside, close their doors and windows and shut off ventilation," Duazo said.


Toll booth workers on the nearby San Rafael Bridge were evacuated, though the bridge remained open to traffic, Duazo said. Highway patrol officers were directing traffic over the bridge.


Richmond is northeast of San Francisco.