Credited from: BBC
A fire broke out at Chevron's El Segundo refinery in Los Angeles County on Thursday night, stemming from an explosion that sent bright flames and thick smoke visible for miles. California Governor Gavin Newsom's office reported the incident, noting that local firefighting crews responded promptly to contain the blaze, which was largely restricted to the refinery premises according to Reuters and India Times.
Residents in nearby areas reported feeling a "major blast" around 9:30 p.m., with some describing the sky illuminated in orange due to the flames. The city of El Segundo assured that all refinery personnel were accounted for, and there was no immediate threat to public safety or need for evacuation. LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell emphasized that air quality monitoring is in effect, but no adverse conditions have been detected thus far according to South China Morning Post, SFGate, and BBC.
The Chevron refinery is a significant facility, refining up to 290,000 barrels of crude oil daily and producing vital fuels for the region. It has a long history since its establishment in 1911 and performs critical operations for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), though officials confirmed there was no disruption to airport activities as a result of the fire according to Reuters and BBC.
Despite the rapid response and containment of the fire, the cause remains under investigation. Local Mayor Chris Pimentel noted the refinery's own fire department facilitated an effective emergency response. As officials continue to assess the situation, they advise residents nearby to stay indoors as a precaution against potential air quality issues according to South China Morning Post and SFGate.