News Summary
A significant fire erupted at the Chevron oil refinery in El Segundo, California, visible for miles. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the fire was contained swiftly. Residents were advised to stay indoors as air quality monitoring showed no immediate issues. This refinery is crucial for California’s fuel supply, although the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Recent assessments indicate limited impact on fuel pricing, with expected gasoline price increases being less severe than initially thought.
El Segundo, California – A fire erupted at a Chevron oil refinery on Thursday night, producing towering flames that were visible for miles across the South Bay. The fire began around 9 p.m. and was extinguished by early Friday morning. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and all personnel and contractors at the refinery have been accounted for. The fire was contained to one section of the facility and did not spread beyond its fence line, ensuring that there was no threat to public safety.
In the immediate aftermath of the fire, officials in El Segundo urged nearby residents to stay indoors. Several residents reported feeling a rumble before witnessing the flames, which caused the sky to turn orange. Despite initial concerns about safety and air quality, monitoring found no immediate pollution problems, and air quality index readings indicated good levels for the Los Angeles area.
The Chevron refinery, which has been operational since 1911, covers approximately 1.5 square miles and has a capacity to process up to 290,000 barrels of crude oil per day, producing gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fuel. It plays a crucial role in California’s fuel supply, accounting for about 20% of the state’s gasoline and 40% of its jet fuel.
Investigation and Impact
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, and Chevron is conducting an internal investigation to identify the incident’s origins. Initial assessments of damage suggested that the fire would have a limited impact on fuel supply and pricing. Early estimates predicted a gasoline price increase of 30 to 90 cents per gallon; however, more recent evaluations have reassured the public with a lower expected rise of 5 to 15 cents per gallon.
Ongoing Safety Monitoring
Air quality officials have reported spikes in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the vicinity, but levels of pollution returned to normal shortly after the incident. Local residents, particularly those in neighborhoods like Manhattan Beach, experienced a rubber-like odor and reported health issues, including headaches and dizziness, which they attributed to emissions from the refinery. In response to safety concerns, nearby communities had previously issued shelter-in-place orders, which have since been lifted.
This incident is not the first fire to affect the El Segundo facility; there have been at least four reported fires since 2016. Despite these occurrences, OSHA records indicate that no serious injuries related to the refinery have been reported since at least 2015. Local officials have reiterated the importance of ongoing air quality monitoring and community safety, emphasizing the critical nature of the Chevron refinery for the West Coast fuel supply.
As the situation develops, the California Energy Commission and other relevant agencies are actively overseeing the response and coordination with Chevron to ensure community safety and address any environmental concerns that may arise from the incident.
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HERE Resources
Massive Fire at Chevron Refinery Contained with No Injuries
Additional Resources
- ABC7 News
- Los Angeles Times
- LAist
- NBC Los Angeles
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia: El Segundo, California
- Google Search: Chevron refinery fire
- Google Scholar: Chevron refinery
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Refinery
- Google News: Chevron refinery fire
Author: STAFF HERE LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
