USA – Explosion Sparks Major Fire at Chevron Refinery in El Segundo; Blaze Contained Overnight
Fire crews contained a large blaze late Thursday night at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery after an explosion rattled nearby neighborhoods and lit up the Los Angeles coastline.
Explosion and Immediate Response
The fire began around 9:30 p.m. in the southeast corner of the facility, according to Chevron, which maintains its own on-site fire department. Residents reported hearing a loud blast that “felt like a small earthquake,” prompting multiple calls to local authorities.
Police and firefighters from El Segundo were first to arrive, quickly joined by Los Angeles County Fire Department crews. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said it was working with state and local officials to support the emergency response.
Containment and Safety Updates
By early Friday morning, the fire had been contained to one section of the refinery, according to LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell. She confirmed there was no need for evacuations, though she advised residents to remain indoors and visitors to avoid the area temporarily.
El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel praised the swift response, noting that the city’s fire station is located just a quarter mile from the refinery gates. “We were able to respond immediately alongside Chevron’s team,” he said. “There’s still a lot of investigative work to understand exactly what happened.”
Division Chief Casey Snow from the El Segundo Fire Department confirmed there were no reported injuries and no threats to neighboring cities such as Manhattan Beach.
Environmental and Air Quality Concerns
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) reported that, as of Friday morning, air monitors had not detected elevated toxin levels. However, spokesperson Nahal Mogharabi cautioned that air quality could worsen as smoke settles overnight.
Residents were advised to close windows and doors if they noticed smoke or odor.
The Los Angeles Waterkeeper environmental group raised concerns about potential pollution, noting that airborne contaminants can eventually settle into waterways. “Even if immediate impacts aren’t visible, the long-term effects on air and water quality remain a significant concern,” a spokesperson said.
Fire Behavior and Refinery Details
Officials said gasoline and diesel continued to burn overnight but expected the blaze to burn out or be extinguished soon.
Chevron’s El Segundo refinery, established in 1911, processes roughly 276,000 barrels of crude oil daily, making it one of the largest refineries on the West Coast.
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