Chevron Refinery fire in El Segundo is out, company says

A massive fire that burned overnight at a Chevron’s refinery in El Segundo is out, the company said on Friday, Oct. 3.

Emergency personnel responded to the blaze — which lit up the South Bay sky and was visible from as far away as Long Beach — at around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2. The fire originated from a processing unit at the southeast corner of the refinery, according to the El Segundo Fire Department.

Though the fire was contained last night, it continued to burn throughout the evening. The El Segundo and Chevron fire departments, alongside backup from the Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Los Angeles County fire departments, all responded and helped contained the fire.

“The fire at the Chevron refinery has been contained thanks to the swift and coordinated response from ESFD, Chevron’s on-site fire department, and our mutual aid partners” El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel said in a statement released in the wee hours of Friday morning.

Despite containment, the blaze continued to burn overnight. As of around 11 a.m. Friday, according to a Chevron spokesperson, the fire has been fully extinguished.

“Following Chevron’s active response along with support from the cities of El Segundo and Manhattan Beach emergency services, the fire is now out,” the company said in a Friday morning statement. “As a result, Chevron has launched an internal investigation to determine the cause.”

The South Coast Air Quality Management District, CalOSHA and other agencies have also responded to the incident are monitoring its impacts on the community.

The air quality district reported elevated levels of volatile organic compounds at both refinery fenceline and community monitors overnight.

“As of 9:30 this morning, the levels at these monitors are currently at background,” district spokesperson Rainbow Yeung said Friday. “The winds this morning have been light, with a marine layer and some drizzle, which is causing the bulk of the plume to stay aloft. However, conditions may change as onshore winds strengthen this afternoon.”

El Segundo residents are encouraged to keep an eye on the local air quality on the AQMD’s website, aqmd.gov. If residents smell smoke or see elevated air quality index levels in their area, AQMD says its best to stay indoors with the windows closed and run a HEPA air purifier if possible.

“The situation is evolving, and we continue to monitor it closely,” Yeung said.

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