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Firefighters battling fire at Martinez Refinery Company in Contra Costa County

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Martinez, CA — Emergency response crews from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District responded swiftly to a significant fire at the Martinez Refining Company on Saturday afternoon, an incident that may have been accompanied by an explosion, according to officials.

Fire Prevention Captain Ted Leach confirmed that fire crews were dispatched to the refinery at approximately 1:40 p.m.

However, initial response efforts were hampered as firefighters encountered difficulties gaining entry to the facility, making it unclear what specific hazards they were facing upon arrival.

Firefighting units established staging areas near the intersection of Shell Avenue and Marina Vista Avenue to coordinate their response.

A hazardous materials team from Contra Costa County was also deployed to the scene to assess potential environmental and public health risks.

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Eyewitnesses reported seeing flames soaring at least 200 feet into the air, with thick black smoke drifting eastward, driven by prevailing winds.

In response to the escalating situation, refinery employees were evacuated to safety, with groups observed gathering along Pacheco Boulevard, close to the refinery’s perimeter.

In an official statement, the Martinez Refining Company confirmed that all personnel had been safely evacuated and accounted for.

The company classified the event as a Level 2 notification, indicating a hazardous materials release or potential release with possible off-site consequences, including health risks to the surrounding community.

Residents, particularly children and the elderly, were advised to remain indoors as a precaution.

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Captain Leach noted that while multiple witnesses reported hearing an explosion, fire officials had not yet verified if an actual blast had occurred.

Contra Costa Health Services issued a public health advisory for residents in Martinez, Pacheco, and Clyde through the county’s health services website.

The advisory warned that the incident could pose risks to individuals with respiratory sensitivities.

“Most people will not be affected,” the advisory stated. “However, some individuals in the affected areas may experience eye, skin, nose, or throat irritation. Those experiencing symptoms are advised to seek shelter indoors and rinse any irritated areas of the body with water.”

The Martinez Refining Company reported that the incident involved both a fire and flaring activity at the refinery. All relevant local, state, and federal agencies have been notified, and trained refinery personnel, alongside county firefighters, are actively working to contain and isolate the fire.

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Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Residents are encouraged to monitor official channels for the latest developments and safety instructions. For additional information, visit cchealth.org/hazmat.


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Pilot who died in Scottsdale crash identified as 78-year-old Joie Vitosky

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Sources have confirmed that Captain Joie Vitosky, the Learjet's pilot, was the sole fatality in the crash. Captain Joie Vitosky was described as a seasoned aviator and a generous and kind individual who had previously provided fans with memorable interactions with Vince Neil.

Scottsdale, AZ – The pilot who tragically lost his life in a private jet crash at Scottsdale Airport on Monday has been identified as 78-year-old Joie Vitosky, according to local authorities.

Vitosky, a highly experienced aviator with six decades of flying experience, was hailed as a hero by his family.

His daughter, Jana Schertzer, credited his skill and composure in the cockpit for saving the lives of the other passengers on board.

“I wholeheartedly believe that the reason those other passengers are alive is because of how he handled it yesterday,” Schertzer stated on Tuesday.

Vitosky’s passion for aviation spanned more than 60 years, beginning with his service in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he piloted helicopters before transitioning to jets.

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Initially, he had intended to become an engineer, but his military service led him to a lifelong career in aviation, including multiple tours during the Vietnam War.

After leaving the Marines, Vitosky pursued a diverse flying career, piloting aircraft for prominent figures such as civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and Maureen Reagan, as well as corporate executives and oil industry leaders.

In addition to private charters, he also conducted critical transport flights, retrieving parts for companies like FedEx and flying transplant patients awaiting life-saving surgeries.

“It wasn’t just about flying wealthy clients,” Schertzer said. “There were so many people who genuinely needed his help—whether it was an emergency transport or a crucial medical flight.”

Vitosky’s love for flying extended to his family, with Schertzer recalling how she and her siblings often accompanied him on flights when seats were available.

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“We’ve all grown up going on trips with my dad when we could—when there was space on the plane, and passengers didn’t mind,” she reminisced.

At 78 years old, Vitosky remained an active and capable pilot, defying assumptions about age. Schertzer emphasized that her father was in excellent health, with perfect vision, and came from a family with a history of longevity.

“He was the epitome of health,” she stated. “There was nothing wrong with him—his vision was even better than 20/20.”

The fatal accident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Monday when a Learjet 35A, arriving from Austin, Texas, experienced landing gear failure upon touchdown at Scottsdale Airport, according to airport officials.

The Learjet, which had two pilots (including Vitosky) and two passengers on board, veered off the runway and collided with a parked Gulfstream jet, which had one occupant inside.

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Emergency responders reported that:

  • Two individuals suffered critical injuries
  • One person sustained non-life-threatening injuries

Air Traffic Response & Investigation

In audio recordings from air traffic control, controllers swiftly redirected nearby aircraft to avoid further complications.

One controller can be heard issuing a warning to an incoming aircraft:
“Maintain altitude and go around. We just had an emergency.”

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken over the investigation, with federal aviation officials working to determine the cause of the crash.

So far, the only other individual publicly identified from the crash is 43-year-old Rain Hannah Andreani, the girlfriend of Mötley Crüe lead singer Vince Neil.

Neil, who owns the Learjet, was not on board at the time of the crash, according to his legal representative Worrick Robinson IV, who addressed the incident via the band’s official Instagram account.

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The runway at Scottsdale Airport was temporarily closed but reopened shortly before 9 p.m. Monday.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the landing gear failure and subsequent collision. The aviation community, friends, and family members of Joie Vitosky are mourning the loss of a seasoned pilot whose expertise in the skies was widely respected.


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