A substantial fire erupted at the Chevron oil refinery in El Segundo, California, on Thursday night, October 2, 2025, illuminating the night sky with intense flames visible for miles.
Fire Erupts and Spreads Across El Segundo Refinery
The blaze, which reportedly began around 9:30 p.m. local time, sent towering flames and thick plumes of smoke into the air, causing alarm among residents in the Los Angeles area. Eyewitnesses described the scene as dramatic, with some comparing the sky’s orange glow to an apocalyptic event. The El Segundo Police Department confirmed receiving multiple reports of an explosion at the facility. Despite the dramatic visuals, authorities quickly worked to contain the fire.
Official Response and Public Safety
Officials in El Segundo, along with neighboring cities like Manhattan Beach, urged residents to stay indoors as a precautionary measure, advising them to close windows and bring pets inside during the initial hours of the fire. However, authorities repeatedly emphasized that there was no immediate threat to public safety and no evacuations were ordered. By Friday morning, the fire was reported to be contained within the refinery grounds, with no indication that it had spread beyond the facility’s perimeter.
Immediate Impact and Accounted Personnel
Chevron confirmed that all refinery personnel and contractors were accounted for, and importantly, no injuries were reported. The company stated that a monitoring system indicated the fire did not extend beyond the facility’s fence line. The El Segundo fire department, located nearby, responded rapidly, with its own refinery fire department playing a crucial role in battling the blaze. While immediate air quality tests did not detect elevated toxin levels, the South Coast Air Quality Management District noted that conditions could change as smoke settled. The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), located a mile north of the refinery, reported no impact on operations, with flights continuing as scheduled.
Refinery Background and Significance
The El Segundo refinery is a historic and significant industrial site. Established in 1911 by the Standard Oil Company of California, it was the second refinery built by the company in the state. The city of El Segundo itself was named after this refinery. Today, the sprawling 1,000-acre facility has a capacity to refine up to 290,000 barrels of crude oil daily, producing essential transportation fuels like gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel. It is a critical supplier, providing approximately 40% of the jet fuel and 20% of the gasoline market share in Southern California. This refinery has seen fires in the past, including an incident in November 2022.
Investigation into the Cause
The cause of the Thursday night fire remains under investigation. Officials, including El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel and LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, indicated that extensive investigative work would be necessary to determine the origin of the incident. Governor Gavin Newsom’s office confirmed it was monitoring the situation and coordinating with state and local authorities.
This event highlights the ongoing news surrounding industrial safety and the critical infrastructure of oil refining operations in the Los Angeles area. The quick containment and lack of injuries are positive outcomes, though the investigation into the cause is expected to continue. The current trending news regarding this event underscores its significance to the region.
