US EditionFire ignites at Valero oil refinery in Benicia
- A fire broke out at the Valero refinery in Benicia, California, on the morning of May 5, 2025, prompting emergency response efforts.
- The incident occurred amid ongoing regulatory pressure and a recent announcement that Valero plans to idle or close the refinery by next year.
- Fire crews contained the blaze within about an hour, while hazardous materials teams and local health officials monitored air quality for possible impacts.
- Valero emphasized that protecting its employees and the surrounding community remains their top concern, while continuing to monitor air quality and work closely with state and local officials following the fire.
- The fire and the refinery’s potential closure underscore ongoing environmental challenges and economic uncertainty for more than 400 refinery employees.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Fire at Valero refinery 'under control,' investigation underway into its cause
A shelter-in-place issued for residents in parts of Solano and Contra Costa counties due to a fire at the Valero refinery in Benicia has been lifted. Refinery officials say the fire is under control and an investigation into its cause is underway.
Valero Refinery fire in Benicia could be seen for miles
BENICIA, Calif. (KPIX) - The Valero Refinery on Monday morning was on fire in Benicia, according to the fire department. The fire was reported at about 8:45 a.m. and was under control about an hour later, firefighters said. Bill Wachob came outside to film all the black smoke billowing for miles. "Everything was blowing across the straits," he said. Contra Costa Health spokeswoman Brittany Goldman said the agency is aware of the fire and send…
Crews contain fire at Valero refinery in Benicia, shelter-in-place orders lifted
Air monitoring is underway as crews contain a fire at the Valero refinery in Benicia Monday morning that sent large plumes of smoke into the air and caused shelter in place orders for several hours.
Fire at Valero Refinery in Benicia brings shelter-in-place
Safety officials issued a shelter-in-place for residents, and Contra Costa County health officials called on a hazardous materials team to investigate the impact of a fire that broke out Monday at the Valero Benicia Refinery.
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