News - Large fire erupts at Chevron refinery in El Segundo

A huge fire broke out at Chevron’s oil refinery in El Segundo on Thursday night, sending massive orange flames into the sky and plumes of smoke into the surrounding area. Officials said there there was no immediate threat to public safety, and the blaze appeared to dissipate as fire crews doused the flames with water. The fire was reported just after 9 p.m., officials said. Witnesses told KCAL 9 that they heard what sounded like an explosion before flames tore through the refinery. The cause wasn’t immediately known. No injuries were reported. City officials said the fire posed no immediate public threat but urged residents to stay away from the site and close their windows to prevent smoke from entering their homes. The El Segundo Police Department and the Manhattan Police Department reported no evacuations. A shelter in place order has been issued for the nearby Manhattan Beach’s Tree Section Neighborhood. It will be in effect until 2 a.m. Friday. All residents and pets are advised to remain indoors. El Segundo’s Mayor Chris Pimentel told broadcast stations that all refinery employees were accounted for. Inspectors with the South Coast Air Quality Management District were on scene assisting first responders. “As of 10 pm, our nearby air monitors, are not seeing any elevated levels of particulate matter or air toxics. However that may change as the smoke settles later this evening. As always, we recommend that If you see or smell smoke to stay indoors with your doors and windows closed,” the agency said in a statement. The agency said that “Air monitors around the refinery fence linn are not seeing any elevated levels of particulate matter or air toxics. However, we are now seeing some elevated levels of Volatile organic compound (VOC’s). Air monitors in the nearby community are still currently not showing elevated levels of particulate matter or air toxics.” Gov. Gavin Newsom “has been briefed on the incident,” according to a statement from his office, which “is coordinating in real time with local and state agencies to protect the surrounding community and ensure public safety.” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote on social media that she has been briefed on the fire and spoken with Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, whose Second District includes El Segundo. The Los Angeles Fire Department “stands at the ready to assist with any mutual aid request,” Bass wrote, adding “there is no known impact to” Los Angeles International Airport, according to Bass. Mitchell told KCAL 9 no evacuation orders have been issued and the fire had been confined to one area at the refinery. “There is no cause for alarm for El Segundo and for the surrounding area,” Mitchell, told the station. Explosive fires aren’t new to this oil refinery. In 2021 one incident prompted shelter-in-place orders. The fires often raise concerns from residents about the potential dangers and air pollution. The South Bay refinery is the largest oil refinery on the west coast, processing more than 276,000 barrels of crude per day, according to Chevon’s website. It covers approximately 1,000 acres and has more than 1,100 miles of pipelines, according to the website. City News Service contributed to this report