Large Fire at Chevron Oil Refinery in El Segundo

Late Thursday night, a significant fire broke out at the Chevron oil refinery situated near Los Angeles, prompting residents to stay indoors as a precaution. Witnesses reported feeling the explosion around 9:30 p.m. from El Segundo, with reports of intense flames and smoke visible in the night sky.

Social media footage captured giant fireballs emanating from the refinery, with one witness describing flames as towering 300 feet high, causing confusion about possible calamities like earthquakes or plane crashes.

El Segundo police and fire crews responded promptly after multiple reports of an explosion. Authorities ordered residents in nearby Manhattan Beach to shelter in place for three hours, advising them to close windows and keep pets indoors. The fire appeared confined to one part of the plant, with officials assuring the public that there was no immediate danger to the surrounding area.

The 1,000-acre facility, operated by Chevron and located between two residential neighborhoods along the coast, remains under close monitoring. Firefighters, including Chevron’s own team, joined local firefighting units in battling the blaze. The refinery’s proximity to homes raised concerns about air quality, prompting officials to advise residents to keep their windows closed until further notice.

Operators confirmed that the fire was contained, and operations at the plant, which can process up to 290,000 barrels per day, were not halted permanently. The refinery has a storied history, dating back to 1911, originally established under Standard Oil and later renamed Chevron. Despite its age, the plant has experienced previous incidents, including a minor fire in 2017 caused by equipment failure.

Local government and federal agencies, including the Los Angeles Fire Department and California’s governor, are actively involved, ensuring public safety and investigating the incident. Operations at nearby LAX airport were unaffected by the fire, and authorities continue to monitor air quality and safety conditions in the area.