Massive Blaze Hits Chevron Refinery Near Los Angeles

On October 2, a significant fire erupted at an oil refinery in El Segundo, a city just southwest of Los Angeles, igniting large flames visible throughout the LA basin.

The El Segundo Police Department confirmed that the fire was first reported around 9:32 p.m. local time, prompting an emergency response from multiple fire departments. These teams were working diligently to control the fire.

Authorities reassured locals, stating, “There is no need for evacuation orders for El Segundo residents or local businesses right now,” following the containment of the flames. However, nearby roads and highways have been closed for firefighters to safely navigate the scene.

USA TODAY placed inquiries with the El Segundo Fire Department for further details, as the cause of the fire is still unidentified. A spokesperson from Chevron reported that their own fire department and additional emergency crews from El Segundo and Manhattan Beach were handling the situation.

Chevron also announced, “All personnel and contractors at the refinery are safe, and we are happy to report no injuries. Emergency response agencies have not issued evacuation orders for the surrounding community, and monitoring systems have not detected any dangerous emissions.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, have both been updated about the ongoing situation. The governor’s office indicated on X that they are working with state and local departments to ensure public safety.

Bass shared on social media that, importantly, the airport operations at Los Angeles International Airport remain unaffected.

The Chevron facility, established back in 1911, is noted for being the largest oil refinery on the West Coast, processing over 276,000 barrels of crude oil each day.

Local Reactions to the Blaze

Mark Rogers, who was nearby during a soccer game that abruptly ended due to smoke from the fire, shared his shock, stating, “I thought we got nuked or something,” in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

Keith Mohr, a longtime resident near the refinery, recalled feeling a powerful blast. He immediately instructed his wife to take the dogs and head for the car. “We’re talking about 300-foot flames here. I honestly didn’t know if a plane had crashed or if we’d experienced an earthquake—or maybe both!” he remarked.