By Los Angeles County Politics
County and municipal officials were on the ball in responding to the massive explosion and fire at a Chevron oil refinery in El Segundo last night, forcing residents to shelter-in-place for several hours.
“We were able to respond to the Chevron fire immediately. Our station is about a .25 mile away from the gates of Chevron,” El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel told reporters. “Obviously, we are very concerned, and there is a lot of investigative work to be done to see what has happened.”
The City of El Segundo’s official website reported that the fire broke out at 9:32 p.m., and the El Segundo Fire Department responded. Suppression activities were directed under unified command with the El Segundo and Chevron Fire Departments.
“The fire originated in the southeast corner of the refinery. As of this update, the fire is contained. There is no threat to the public. We are monitoring the situation and will continue to update,” according to its website.
Californians, the Los Angeles Times reported, said they felt the blast come from Chevron’s refinery — the company’s second-biggest site in the US. The cause of the inferno is unknown at post time, along with the fire’s effect on the refinery’s ability to produce jet fuel for the airport.
Manhattan Beach fire officials ordered a shelter-in-place for three hours after the blaze broke out, urging residents to close their windows and bring “all people and pets indoors.” However, according to the Manhattan Beach City website, the order has been lifted.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who represents the City of El Segundo, said the fire had been contained to one refinery section.
“It has been contained and there is no cause for alarm for El Segundo or the surrounding areas,” Mitchell told the outlet.
KCAL News reported that the 1,000-acre (1.5-square-mile) El Segundo facility, operated by Chevron, has its own fire department battling the blaze with assistance from the El Segundo Fire Department.
The complex is sandwiched between two residential neighborhoods and on the Pacific coast.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said on X that the LA Fire Department is standing by ready to assist the local first responders.
