Massive Fire Erupts at Chevron Oil Refinery in Los Angeles Area

A large fire broke out Thursday night at the Chevron oil refinery in El Segundo, near Los Angeles, drawing a quick response from emergency crews.

Flames were seen shooting from two refinery stacks and another section of the facility. City officials confirmed it was an active fire, not a routine flaring event, and said no evacuations were required.

It remains unclear if there were any injuries, and Chevron has not yet issued a statement. In neighboring Manhattan Beach, authorities notified residents about the “unusual fire event” and advised them to remain indoors, though no evacuation order was given.

Witnesses reported seeing a huge fireball rise into the sky, with flames lighting up the horizon. One long-time local resident described going into “panic mode” when the fire erupted.

The refinery, which spans about 1,000 acres and contains roughly 1,100 miles of pipelines, is one of the largest in the region. It refines gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel, with a daily capacity of up to 290,000 barrels of crude oil.

California Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on the situation, and his office said state and local agencies are coordinating efforts to protect nearby communities and ensure public safety.

By late evening, firefighters were seen battling the blaze, spraying water from ladder trucks as flames continued to rise from multiple stacks.