By NBC News

Updated at 3:20 a.m. ET:  A raging fire erupted at a processing unit at the Chevron refinery in Richmond, Calif., on Monday evening, prompting officials to tell local residents to go indoors and close all windows and doors.

The fire, which broke out at 6:15 p.m. (9:15 p.m. ET), was contained at around 10:30 p.m. (1:00 a.m.), NBCBayArea.com reported.

No evacuations or injuries were immediately reported but the massive fire could be seen from six miles away, according to NBCBayArea.com.

Residents in Richmond, North Richmond and San Pablo were advised to go inside, close all windows and doors, turn off all heaters, air conditioners and fans, NBCLosAngeles.com reported.

If residents weren’t using their fireplaces, they were advised to close fireplace dampers and vents and cover cracks around the doors and windows with tape or damp towels, the station reported. Residents were also asked to stay off the telephone, unless there was a life-threatening emergency.

Josh Edelson / Reuters

Firefighters douse flames at the Chevron oil refinery in in Richmond, California, on Monday. The fire prompted authorities to order nearby residents indoors.

BART rapid transit service temporarily stopped service in the Richmond area, NBCBayArea.com reported.

The 1,200-employee plant has a 245,271-barrel-per-day capacity, Reuters reported.

Reuters described the burning unit as a crude distillation unit, which does the initial refining of crude oil coming into a refinery and provides feedstock for all other units at the refinery.

Chevron has its own fire department with 60 firefighters, which is on site, NBCBayArea.com reported. Surrounding local departments and haz-mat teams were also on the site assisting.

Chevron said it did not have details about the cause of the incident.

In 2006, an explosion at the plant sent hundreds of people to the hospital. There also incidents in 1999, and 2007. 

Reuters and NBC News staff contributed to this report.