Around 6:30 PM on August 6th, a fire started at the Number 4 Crude Oil Refinery in Richmond California. The fire resulted in more than 1700 emergency room visits for respiratory problems, vomiting, and headaches. An explosion caused a 4,000-foot high black plume of smoke that covered the Bay Area; it was filled with sulfur, particulate matter and more toxins. Luckily, only two minor injuries were reported from the explosion. It took 100 fire fighters five hours to contain the fire. The Crude Unit remains temporarily shut down, but other unaffected parts of the refinery remain in operation. The incident has caused slower production of transportation fuels and will result in higher gas prices for California.
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