A massive explosion at the largest oil-producing refinery on the U.S. West Coast on Thursday night sparked panic as flames lit up the night sky and residents ran for cover.
Emergency crews and local fire departments rushed to the scene after multiple reports of an explosion were received.
A video seen by The Kenya Times showed a massive explosion rocking Chevron’s El Segundo refinery in Los Angeles, with people running for cover and panic spreading as flames lit up the night sky for miles.
Chevron has its own fire department. Crews managed to contain the fire to one section of the plant, officials confirmed.
Authorities on the refinery fire breakout
Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell said the fire posed a risk to air quality in the surrounding areas.
“The fire is likely to affect air quality,” she told KCAL/KCBS, urging residents to stay indoors.
Winds blowing at 10 to 15 miles per hour carried smoke eastward, although most air quality monitors continued to report “Good” conditions.
El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
“Obviously, we are very concerned, and there is a lot of investigative work to be done to see what has happened,” he said.
Despite the scale of the explosion, no injuries were reported. Flights at Los Angeles International Airport were not affected by the incident, airport officials confirmed.
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom were also briefed on the situation as investigations continued.
About Chevron’s El Segundo refinery
Chevron’s El Segundo refinery, located just south of Los Angeles, is the largest oil-processing facility on the U.S. West Coast.
Built in 1911, the refinery has played a central role in powering California’s economy for over a century.
It processes an estimated 276,000 barrels of crude oil per day, making it a key supplier of fuel and other petroleum products to the region.
Its strategic location, near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Pacific coastline, allows for the efficient distribution of refined products across California and beyond.
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The refinery produces a wide range of products, including gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, and lubricants.
Its jet fuel supply is particularly critical for aviation at LAX, one of the busiest airports in the world.
The facility also provides significant employment opportunities, both directly through Chevron and indirectly through contractors and service providers.
It is considered an economic backbone for El Segundo and neighbouring communities.
Over the years, Chevron has invested heavily in safety, technology, and environmental management at the facility.
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