An explosion at an oil storage facility in Crockett on Tuesday afternoon sent a huge fireball into the air in West Contra Costa County California, shaking buildings and rattling windows for miles around and igniting a fire at that was expected to burn for hours.

Puro Pinche Oilfield Caps

The force of the blast just before 2 p.m. felt like an earthquake, residents who felt it said. Officials said all workers in the area were accounted for and safe. Minutes after the explostion, emergency sirens activated in the area and officials ordered residents in Crockett and Rodeo to shelter in place due to potentially unhealthy air contaminants. [read more]