Chevron Refinery Fire: Firefighters responded late Thursday to a massive blaze at Chevron’s refinery in El Segundo, Los Angeles County, after witnesses reported seeing a fireball erupt from the facility.
Authorities said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. As of late Thursday, officials had not confirmed whether there were any injuries connected to the incident.
Governor and Local Leaders Briefed
California Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on the situation, with his office confirming it was coordinating with local and state agencies “to protect the surrounding community and ensure public safety.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also acknowledged the refinery fire, noting she had been in direct communication with County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who represents El Segundo.
“LAFD stands at the ready to assist with any mutual aid request. There is no known impact to LAX at this time,” Bass said in a statement on social media.
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Shelter-in-Place Orders Issued
Emergency alerts instructed residents in the Tree Section of Manhattan Beach to shelter indoors with all people and pets. The order lasted three hours before being lifted.
Officials emphasized there was no immediate threat to the public and no evacuation orders had been issued. Nearby Torrance Fire Department confirmed the blaze posed “no impact” to its city.
Monitoring Public Safety Risks
Chevron’s El Segundo refinery, a major facility in Southern California, plays a critical role in supplying fuel to the region. While officials confirmed that Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) had not been affected, the scale of the fire drew heightened concern about potential risks to surrounding communities.
Authorities said air quality and safety assessments would continue as firefighters worked to fully extinguish the blaze.
