Massive Fire Erupts at Chevron Refinery in El Segundo, No Injuries Reported

EL SEGUNDO, California – A massive fire broke out late Thursday night at the Chevron refinery, one of the largest oil-producing facilities on the West Coast. The blaze occurred around 9:30 p.m. in the southeast corner of the refinery, following reports of an explosion.

Officials confirmed that all refinery personnel and contractors were accounted for, with no injuries reported. Emergency services from El Segundo and nearby cities quickly responded to the scene, while Chevron’s fire department worked to contain the fire.

An aerial view showed flames lighting up the night sky, with witnesses describing the fire as both horrifying and spectacular. Keith Moore, a local resident, compared the explosion to a jet engine, saying it felt like an earthquake as it shook his house.

Chevron stated there have been no evacuation orders for nearby residents, and monitoring systems at the facility did not detect any exceedances along the fence line. Local officials urged residents to stay indoors due to potential air quality impacts from the smoke.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s office reported that they were coordinating with local and state agencies to ensure public safety. Mayor Chris Pimentel assured residents that the fire had been contained, and no threats were posed to the community.

The refinery, which was built in 1911, has a capacity to process 276,000 barrels of crude oil daily and primarily produces gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel. While there were concerns about air quality due to detected spikes in volatile organic compounds, officials reported that conditions remained stable.

As firefighters continued their efforts, officials emphasized the need for an investigation into the cause of the fire, which remained undetermined as of Friday morning. The El Segundo Fire Department plans to conduct further assessments as the situation evolves.

Residents were advised to monitor updates and be alert for any changes in air quality as conditions developed. By Friday morning, many locals returned to their routines, with schools and nearby businesses operating normally, although some residents expressed lingering concerns.

“This massive fireball shows how dangerous aging fossil fuel infrastructure is to our communities,” said Christina Scaringe from the Center for Biological Diversity, urging for a transition to clean energy.

As the firefighters continued to manage the situation, they remained vigilant for potential flare-ups, assuring residents that their safety remained a priority.