Bay Area Refinery Catches Fire

Residents in Richmond and San Pablo are being told to shelter-in-place because of fire at a Chevron refinery in Richmond.

An official with the Contra Costa County Health Services says the fire, first reported at 6:40 p.m. Monday, is burning in a process unit at the facility.

Randy Sawyer says it's not known what sparked the blaze. No injuries have been reported.

An automated phone message sent out by the health agency says that there has been an emergency at the refinery.

Television shots show large flames with thick black smoke coming out of at least two refinery stacks at the facility.

The Chevron Richmond Refinery is among the country's largest and most important refineries, processing up to 240,000 barrels of crude oil a day, according to the company's website.

The facility makes high-quality products that include gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel and lubricants, as well as chemicals used to manufacture many other useful products. It is the largest producer of base oils on the West Coast