An explosion and subsequent fire rocked the Chevron refinery in El Segundo on Thursday night, creating massive flames that were visible from miles away. The city authorities confirmed that there had been a fire at the Chevron facility but assured the public that there was no immediate threat or evacuation orders necessary.
The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m., with videos capturing a significant fireball and a loud, prolonged roar at the moment of the explosion. However, within an hour, the blaze diminished considerably, and the skies began to clear, although bright and strong flames continued to rage near the southern section of the refinery.
By 10:30 p.m., Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell informed KCAL-TV that the fire had been largely contained. She reassured the community that there were no immediate reports of injuries and emphasized that there was “no cause for alarm for the surrounding area.” Mitchell also noted that officials would be actively monitoring air quality conditions and advised residents in the immediate vicinity to stay indoors when possible.
The Mayor of El Segundo, Chris Pimentel, also spoke with KCAL, stating that the fire had not spread beyond the refinery grounds and that all personnel had been accounted for. However, the cause of the fire remains unclear. Plumes of smoke were visible over El Segundo and the South Bay areas, prompting fire personnel to respond with streams of water directed at the flames. The refinery has its own fire department, and regional agencies aided in the emergency response.
In north Redondo Beach, witnesses reported seeing smoke billowing across an orange sky. Julian Reese, a 13-year-old, recounted how he and his father felt a significant blast and rushed outside to observe the flames filling the sky. At Aviation Park, just a few miles from the Chevron plant, Mark Rogers, 34, was playing in his weekly adult soccer league when the explosion occurred. “I thought we got nuked or something,” said Rogers, expressing the shock felt by many in the area.
Keith Mohr, a 53-year-old resident living just south of the refinery in Manhattan Beach, described the moment he felt the explosion, urging his wife to gather their dogs and head to the car. They returned home after officials declared there was no public safety threat. “This was 300-foot flames,” Mohr remarked, noting that he has lived near the refinery for over two decades and had never witnessed anything like this before.
In response to the incident, traffic was diverted away from the area, and road closures were enforced along Rosecrans Avenue from Vista Del Mar to Pacific Coast Highway and along Pacific Coast Highway from Rosecrans Avenue to El Segundo Boulevard. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom were both briefed on the situation late Thursday night. Mayor Bass confirmed that there was no known impact on Los Angeles International Airport in a statement on X, while the governor’s office stated they were coordinating with local and state agencies to ensure public safety and protect the surrounding community.
Refinery fires are not uncommon in the South Bay region, which is home to several major oil production facilities. For instance, in 2022, firefighters took two hours to extinguish a fire at the El Segundo facility. Similarly, in 2020, a fire at the Marathon Petroleum refinery in Carson sent flames soaring at least 100 feet into the air, raising concerns for several hours. Fortunately, that fire was also brought under control with minimal impact on refinery operations.
As the situation develops, local officials continue to monitor the area and provide updates to ensure community safety and well-being.
