A thunderous explosion rocked Chevron's sprawling refinery in El Segundo late Thursday, igniting a ferocious fire that lit up the night sky over Los Angeles County. Witnesses described the blast as feeling like a small earthquake, with flames shooting high into the air and thick black smoke billowing for miles. By early Friday morning, firefighters had managed to contain the blaze, but crews remained on scene, battling hotspots in what officials called a jet fuel production unit.
The incident unfolded around 9 p.m. at the 269,000-barrel-per-day facility on West El Segundo Boulevard, Chevron's second-largest refinery in the U.S. It supplies critical jet fuel to nearby Los Angeles International Airport, raising immediate concerns about potential disruptions to air travel and fuel supplies in California's isolated energy market. Local authorities swiftly issued shelter-in-place orders for nearby neighborhoods, including parts of Manhattan Beach and Torrance, urging residents to seal windows and doors against possible hazardous fumes. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the refinery's workers or the public, a small mercy in an otherwise alarming event.
Indeed, the fire's scale was staggering—visible from as far as UCSD's cameras in San Diego—and it prompted quick action from Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, both of whom were briefed overnight. Chevron issued a brief statement confirming the fire was isolated, but details on the cause remain scarce. However, this isn't the first scare at the site; a similar incident back in 2022 highlighted ongoing vulnerabilities in these aging industrial behemoths tucked uncomfortably close to residential zones.
Moreover, road closures snarled traffic along major arteries like Sepulveda Boulevard, and air quality monitors were deployed to track any toxic releases. As the sun rose on Friday, the acrid smell lingered, a stark reminder of the risks inherent in refining operations. Investigations are now underway, with federal and state agencies expected to probe what sparked this troubling outburst.
In the end, while the immediate danger has passed, the episode leaves lingering questions about how to balance energy needs with community safety in a densely populated region.