A major fire broke out late Thursday night at the Chevron oil refinery in El Segundo, a city located just south of Los Angeles, California. The fire caused bright orange flames and heavy smoke to rise into the sky, which could be seen from miles away. Social media was flooded with videos and photos showing the intensity of the blaze.
According to El Segundo Fire Department Division Chief Casey Snow, firefighters arrived on the scene at around 9:30 p.m. They managed to contain the fire to just one section of the refinery, but at least one large fuel tank continued to burn for hours. Snow stated, “We’re spraying water on the gasoline and diesel fuel that’s burning, and working to cool everything down until the fuel burns out naturally.”
No Injuries or Immediate Danger
Chief Snow confirmed that no injuries had been reported and there was no immediate threat to nearby homes or neighborhoods. Although there was concern about air quality, early reports indicated that the fire was not located in an area that posed a serious risk to public health. However, the long-term impact on the environment is still being assessed.
A Chevron spokesperson told CNN that their on-site fire team worked together with local emergency responders to control what they called an “isolated fire.” The company also said that all employees were safe and accounted for. Their monitoring system showed that the fire did not spread beyond the boundaries of the refinery.
Precautionary Measures for Residents
During the incident, authorities urged residents in the surrounding area to stay indoors as a safety measure. A shelter-in-place order was issued for parts of Manhattan Beach, which is about two miles southwest of the refinery. This order was later lifted shortly after 1 a.m. once the situation was under better control.
At the time, winds were blowing at 10 to 15 mph from the west-southwest, pushing smoke eastward from the site. Most air quality monitoring stations nearby continued to show “Good” air quality levels, although a few locations just east of El Segundo recorded brief spikes in pollution levels.
Authorities Briefed, Airport Operations Unaffected
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom were both briefed on the situation. Despite the size of the fire, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is close to El Segundo, reported no disruptions to flight operations, according to an airport spokesperson.
Local residents watched from a distance as fire crews worked through the night to control the blaze. El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel told reporters that the city’s main fire station is located just a quarter mile from the refinery, which helped emergency teams respond quickly. “We are obviously very concerned,” he said, “and there will be a full investigation to determine the cause.”
About the Refinery
The Chevron El Segundo Refinery is a historic facility that has been in operation since 1911. It is the largest oil refinery on the West Coast, processing around 276,000 barrels of crude oil per day, according to the company’s official website.