About the August 6th Fire

A fire started in the No. 4 Crude Unit at Chevron’s Richmond Refinery at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 6, 2012. Chevron is working with government agencies to investigate the incident and determine its cause. All employees were safely accounted for. Three employees received first aid for minor injuries.

When the fire ignited, refinery management followed procedures to notify local authorities and activate the facility’s community warning system. The refinery and Contra Costa County Health Services issued shelter-in-place orders for area residents as a result of the smoke generated by the fire.

The fire was contained by 11 p.m. August 6, 2012 and the shelter-in-place orders were lifted by midnight. The No. 4 Crude Unit remains temporarily shut down due to the fire. Chevron does not know how long this unit will be down. Other parts of the refinery unaffected by the incident continue to operate. Chevron is making transportation fuels, but at a reduced capacity.

View the Chevron Richmond Refinery Investigative Photos provided by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board.

Latest News

Chevron Investigation Report Released

Chevron has released a detailed investigation report into the causes of the August 2012 fire at the Richmond Refinery. The investigation was conducted by a team that included independent scientific and engineering experts, members of the United Steelworkers Union and Chevron’s technical experts.

• Chevron Investigation Report regarding No. 4 Crude Unit Incident
• Status Report on Actions Taken on the August 6 Incident 
• Press Release: Chevron Investigation Identifies Causes of Richmond Refinery Fire 

CSB Public Meeting - April 19, 2013

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) will hold a public meeting on April 19, 2013, to present the interim report and safety recommendations from the investigation of the August 6, 2012, hydrocarbon release that occurred at the Chevron Refinery in Richmond, California. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center located at 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA.

The CSB determined that nineteen Chevron employees were engulfed in a vapor cloud formed by the hydrocarbon release. Eighteen employees escaped before the fire started and one employee escaped without injury after the fire ensued. The incident resulted in six minor injuries. Production at the crude unit has been suspended since the accident. More than 15,000 residents in the surrounding area sought treatment at area medical facilities as a result of the release and fire.

At the meeting CSB staff will present to the Board the interim results of their investigation into this incident. Key issues involved in the investigation include sulfidation corrosion, effective hazard analysis processes, andrequirements for the use of corrosion-resistant materials in refineries. Following the presentation, the Board will hear from invited panel members and members of the public.

At the conclusion of the public comment period, the Board will consider whether to approve the interim report and recommendations. All staff presentations are preliminary and are intended solely to allow the Board to consider in a public forum the issues and factors involved in this case.

The hearing is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. To register for the event, please send email to . Members of the audience will have an opportunity to comment on the draft report, as presented by the investigative staff.

The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems.

The Board does not issue citations or fines but does make safety recommendations to plants, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA.

For more information, contact Communications Director Hillary Cohen, (202) 261-3601, cell (202) 446-8094 or Sandy Gilmour at (202) 251-5496.