A major fire broke out at Chevron’s refinery in El Segundo on Thursday night, towering flames and smoke into the sky, reports NBC4.
The incident occurred around 9:30pm local time at 300 block, West El Segundo Boulevard, according to the Police Department.
The blaze cause is still under investigation, LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell said it appears to have started in an isolation unit within the refinery.
Mayor Chris Pimentel reassured the public, stating, “No injuries have been reported, and all employees and contractors have been accounted for. We regularly conduct disaster drills with Chevron, covering everything from ocean spills to refinery fires.”
Residents reported hearing a loud explosion before witnessing the enormous fire. A local told NBC4, “I’ve never panicked before, but seeing this fire, I got scared. The flames and smoke looked 7 to 10 football fields wide.”
Los Angeles County and El Segundo Fire Department rushed to battle the blaze.
Governor’s Office has been briefed, and coordination is ongoing with local and state agencies to ensure public safety and protect the surrounding communities. Manhattan Beach authorities issued a shelter-in-place advisory as a precaution.
Meanwhile, the South Coast Air Quality Management District reported that early air monitoring has not detected elevated levels of particulate matter or hazardous toxins, though officials warned that conditions could change as the situation develops.
