Massive fire erupts at Chevron refinery in El Segundo
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A large fire broke out Thursday night, October 2, at the Chevron oil refinery in El Segundo, Los Angeles County, sending towering flames and thick smoke into the night sky and prompting a swift emergency response from multiple agencies.
What Happened
Around 9:30 p.m., residents across the South Bay region reported hearing a loud explosion followed by a bright orange glow. The fire, visible for miles, originated from one section of the refinery and was quickly contained by Chevron’s on-site fire department and crews from El Segundo, Redondo Beach, and Manhattan Beach.
“We felt the house move. The windows shook. We heard the explosion and then felt the fire,” said El Segundo resident Deb Dipprey, whose home faces the refinery.
Chevron’s own emergency response team was first on scene, quickly joined by municipal fire departments from El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach. Together, they coordinated a multi-agency attack on the blaze, which erupted around 9:30 p.m. and was visible for miles.
Crews deployed high-capacity foam systems and elevated water streams to contain the fire within the affected unit, preventing it from spreading to adjacent processing areas. The refinery’s complex infrastructure—spanning over 1,100 miles of pipeline—posed significant challenges, requiring precise tactical decisions and constant monitoring of volatile materials.
“Our firefighters worked swiftly and decisively to contain the incident,” said El Segundo Fire Chief Dee Hardin. “Thanks to their training and coordination, we avoided a much larger disaster.”
Despite the intensity of the flames, no injuries were reported, and no evacuations were ordered. Air quality monitors remained active throughout the night, with officials confirming no hazardous emissions beyond the facility’s perimeter.
About the Facility
Chevron’s El Segundo refinery is one of the largest on the U.S. West Coast, capable of processing up to 290,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It spans 1.5 square miles and includes over 1,100 miles of pipelines.
Despite the dramatic visuals, no injuries or evacuations were reported. All personnel were accounted for, and air quality monitors showed no exceedances beyond the facility’s fence line.
Official Response
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office confirmed coordination with local and state agencies to ensure public safety. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated there was no known impact to LAX, located just a few miles north of the refinery7.
The cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation.