A large fire broke out late Thursday at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery, sending flames and smoke into the night sky and triggering precautionary shelter-in-place advisories for nearby neighborhoods. Fire crews were able to contain the blaze to one section of the facility, and no injuries have been reported so far. The cause of the incident remains under investigation as monitoring and safety checks continued into Friday.

What Happened

Shortly after reports of an explosion and visible flames, multiple fire departments, along with Chevron’s on-site emergency team, rushed to the scene. Officials confirmed that the fire was isolated to a single unit of the refinery, preventing it from spreading across the sprawling complex. Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell said local agencies were coordinating closely to protect residents and provide timely updates.

Safety Advisories for Residents

During the height of the fire, residents in parts of Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities were urged to remain indoors. Authorities stressed that the shelter-in-place directive was largely precautionary but important for minimizing potential exposure to smoke or other pollutants.

Air Quality and Weather Conditions

At the time of the incident, winds from the west-southwest were pushing smoke eastward, away from the coastline. Data from nearby air monitors showed that air quality generally remained within the “Good” range, though a few stations recorded brief spikes in particulate matter east of El Segundo. Officials said air quality testing would continue until conditions were confirmed stable.

Response From Officials

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom were briefed on the situation as local, county, and state agencies worked together to assess risks and guide public safety efforts. Emergency responders assured the public that crews would maintain around-the-clock air quality checks and provide updates as new information emerged.

Impact on Flights and Traffic

Despite the refinery’s proximity to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), airport officials reported that flight operations were unaffected. Road closures were limited to the immediate area around the facility to allow emergency crews to operate safely and maintain access routes.

No Injuries, Cause Still Unknown

Authorities confirmed that all refinery personnel had been accounted for, and no injuries had been reported among workers or emergency responders. Investigators will begin determining the cause of the fire once the site has been secured and cooled.

About the El Segundo Refinery

Chevron’s El Segundo refinery, in operation since 1911, is the largest petroleum refinery on the West Coast. It processes roughly 276,000 barrels of crude oil daily, producing gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The facility is equipped with its own fire and safety systems, which worked in coordination with regional agencies to keep the blaze contained.