Valero Refinery incident causes ‘strong odor’ in Benicia [Video]

BENICIA, Calif. — A strong odor in Benicia was caused by an issue at the Valero Benicia Refinery Friday evening, according to the Benicia Fire Department.

Officials say the unit at the refinery went down and they had to move the product into two tanks. The smell was made from a mixture of refined hydrocarbons, similar to a light oil, being caught in the lid of a tank after a unit went down around 8 p.m.

The odor was caused by hydrogen sulfide being released into the air, officials said, and creating a smell similar to rotting eggs.

Residents were encouraged to shelter-in-place Saturday if the odor was “too strong and/or it was aggravating.” Clean up at the refinery will likely continue through 7 p.m., fire officials say. 

No other information is available at this time.