Title: Fire Breaks Out at Chevron Refinery Near Los Angeles

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — A significant fire erupted at the Chevron oil refinery in El Segundo on Thursday night, producing flames that were visible across the Los Angeles area. The blaze was reported around 9:32 p.m. local time, prompting local officials to advise residents to stay indoors as a precaution.

By early Friday morning, the fire was contained, and authorities stated there was no immediate threat to public safety. The city confirmed that no evacuations were ordered. However, road closures remained in effect to facilitate the response efforts.

Chevron reported that all personnel at the refinery were accounted for, and there were no injuries related to the incident. The company indicated that its monitoring systems showed the fire did not extend beyond the facility's boundaries. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Local fire departments, including those from El Segundo and Manhattan Beach, responded to the scene. LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell noted that fire crews managed to contain the flames to a specific section of the refinery.

California Governor Gavin Newsom's office is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities to ensure community safety. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed that there was no known impact on Los Angeles International Airport, which is located about a mile from the refinery.

The Chevron refinery, operational since 1911, spans approximately 1.5 square miles and has over 1,100 miles of pipelines. It has the capacity to refine up to 290,000 barrels of crude oil daily, producing gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel.

Witnesses reported the intensity of the fire. Mark Rogers, who was nearby playing soccer, described the scene, saying, "I thought we got nuked or something." Another resident, Keith Mohr, felt a blast and instructed his family to evacuate. He remarked, "This was 300-foot flames. I didn’t know if a plane crashed or there was an earthquake or both."

As the situation develops, local authorities continue to assess the impact and ensure the safety of the surrounding community.