No injuries reported as plant workers evacuated safely
A violent blast at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery sparked a towering fire late Thursday, casting a glow visible across the Los Angeles coastline. The explosion, which occurred around 9:30 p.m., originated in a jet-fuel processing unit, according to company officials. Chevron confirmed that all staff were evacuated or accounted for, and authorities said no injuries had been recorded.
Fire response contained flames through the night
Dozens of firefighters rushed to the sprawling facility, attacking the flames from multiple sides. Crews managed to confine the blaze by the early morning hours, though personnel remained on-site to cool equipment and monitor conditions. Residents nearby reported hearing a series of loud booms and experiencing their homes shaking. Officials issued short-lived shelter-in-place advisories, but no evacuation orders were needed.
Cause remains unclear as regulators assess risks
Investigators have yet to determine what triggered the explosion, with Chevron and state agencies conducting parallel reviews. The El Segundo refinery plays a critical role in providing gasoline and jet fuel across Southern California, including to Los Angeles International Airport. While experts warned of possible short-term supply disruptions, regulators said continuous air monitoring had not detected levels posing an immediate health threat.
