Massive fire at Chevron refinery near Los Angeles, videos surface

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A powerful explosion triggered a massive fire at Chevron’s refinery in Los Angeles County’s El Segundo area late on Thursday night, lighting up the sky with flames visible for miles. Despite the intensity of the blaze, officials confirmed there was no evacuation order and no immediate threat to nearby communities.

The blast occurred around 9:30 p.m., followed by a fireball and a loud explosion that startled residents. Within an hour, firefighting crews managed to bring much of the blaze under control, although flames continued to burn in the southern portion of the plant. The skies cleared considerably after the initial fireball subsided.

Videos widely shared on social media showed towering flames and plumes of smoke rising near El Segundo, just south of Los Angeles International Airport. The blaze also disrupted local activities — including a nearby adult soccer match that was called off due to heavy smoke engulfing the area.