Workers safe after dramatic overnight blaze
A sudden explosion triggered a massive fire late Thursday at Chevron’s refinery in El Segundo, lighting up the night sky and startling nearby neighborhoods. The incident, reported shortly before 10 p.m., broke out in a unit that produces jet fuel, officials confirmed. Chevron said every employee on duty was accounted for and that no one was hurt.
Crews battle flames until morning
Emergency teams rushed to the refinery, deploying multiple engines to stop the flames from spreading. After several hours, firefighters said they had the situation under control, though units stayed on-site to ensure hot spots did not reignite. Residents described hearing booming noises and feeling vibrations from the blast, and city officials briefly urged people in the area to remain indoors. Authorities did not order evacuations.
Investigators reviewing cause, fuel supply impact watched closely
The source of the blast has not yet been determined, and both Chevron and state agencies have opened inquiries. The El Segundo facility is one of the largest fuel producers in Southern California, supplying gasoline as well as much of the jet fuel used at Los Angeles International Airport. Experts noted the shutdown could affect fuel availability if the unit remains offline, though regulators said air quality readings so far have not shown hazardous levels.
