Emergency crews rushed to contain a massive explosion and fire at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo, which sent flames and smoke across Los Angeles.
A fire broke out at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo around 8 PM Thursday, sending heavy smoke and flames across Los Angeles. Officials ordered nearby communities indoors as multiple fire departments responded after reports of an explosion.
Emergency Response and Containment Efforts
Fire crews from El Segundo and Los Angeles County responded rapidly to multiple reports of an explosion at the facility. The refinery’s own fire department, along with mutual aid from surrounding areas, worked to contain the blaze to one specific area of the massive industrial complex.
Holly Mitchell, the LA County Supervisor, said workers had limited the refinery’s fire to one area and stopped it from spreading to other parts of the building. The governor’s press office said the governor had received a briefing about the situation. “Our office is coordinating with local and state agencies to… ensure public safety,” the statement read.
Authorities reported no immediate injuries, but they are still investigating the cause of the Chevron refinery fire. El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel told reporters, ‘We are very concerned, and we still need to investigate to find out what happened.’
Public Safety Measures and Air Quality Concerns
The fire prompted immediate public health warnings as smoke and particulate matter spread eastward from the facility due to 10-15 mph west-southwest winds.
Key safety measures implemented:
- Shelter-in-place order issued for parts of Manhattan Beach
- Residents advised to close windows and stay indoors
- Air quality monitoring stations activated throughout the region
- Emergency flaring reported at the facility in regulatory filings
While most air quality monitors initially reported “Good” conditions, particle levels spiked briefly at stations immediately east of El Segundo. The shelter-in-place order for Manhattan Beach, located approximately two miles southwest of the refinery, remained in effect as firefighters continued battling the blaze.
Facility Details and Regional Impact
An essential component of Southern California’s energy infrastructure is the El Segundo refinery. Constructed in 1911, it is the biggest oil production plant on the West Coast, processing over 276,000 barrels of crude oil every day, and has 150 enormous tanks that can store 12.5 million barrels of oil.
Despite the scale of the emergency, several key services remained unaffected:
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) reported no flight disruptions
- No mandatory evacuations were ordered
- Major transportation corridors remained open
Witnesses reported dramatic scenes, with one soccer player at nearby Aviation Park telling the Los Angeles Times, “I thought we got nuked or something.” The referee cancelled their game due to heavy smoke from the blaze.
Investigation and Ongoing Monitoring
Inspectors will review the site after the fire is out, but the cause remains unknown. Chevron reported emergency flaring at the El Segundo refinery in regulatory filings.
The offices of Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass both acknowledged that they were keeping a close eye on the situation and working with local authorities. If El Segundo authorities asked for more help, the Los Angeles Fire Department said it was ready to help.
FAQs
The fire is at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo, California, approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles and about 2 miles northeast of Manhattan Beach.
Authorities have not received any reports of injuries at this time.
Shelter-in-place orders have been issued for parts of Manhattan Beach, and all residents in affected areas are advised to stay indoors with windows closed.
No, Los Angeles International Airport has confirmed there is no impact on flight operations.
The refinery processes 276,000 barrels of crude oil daily and is the largest oil-producing facility on the West Coast, with total storage capacity of 12.5 million barrels.
The cause remains under investigation. Officials have not yet determined what sparked the blaze
The incident marks one of the most significant refinery emergencies in Southern California in recent years, with the towering flames creating dramatic visuals across the region as emergency crews worked through the night to fully extinguish the blaze and protect surrounding communities.
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