A massive fire and explosion rocked the Chevron oil refinery in El Segundo, California, forcing nearby residents to shelter in place amid fears of a major disaster.

A massive fire broke out Thursday night at the Chevron oil refinery in El Segundo, California, sending flames and thick smoke shooting into the night sky and forcing nearby residents to shelter in place amid fears of a devastating blast.

Witnesses described the explosion as powerful enough to shake homes miles away, with one local resident saying, “I thought we got nuked or something.”

The explosion, which occurred just after 9:30 p.m., was felt across multiple communities surrounding the refinery, located about six miles south of Los Angeles International Airport.

Mark Rogers, who was playing in an adult soccer league match in Redondo Beach, recalled how the game was abruptly canceled. “We saw the heavy smoke and the flames, and the air smelled awful,” he said. “It was like the whole place had gone up in flames.”

Social media quickly filled with dramatic images and videos of massive fireballs lighting up the Southern California night sky.

Kevin Mohr, a Manhattan Beach resident, described the scene: “This was 300-foot flames shooting up. I wasn’t sure if a plane had crashed or there was an earthquake, or maybe both. It was terrifying.”

Emergency responders from the El Segundo Fire Department were on the scene immediately, working alongside Chevron’s own fire brigade to contain the blaze.

The refinery, sprawling over 1,000 acres and equipped with its own dedicated fire team, was engulfed in flames for several hours. Officials later confirmed the fire was contained to one section of the refinery.

El Segundo Mayor Christ Pimentel, whose fire station sits just a quarter-mile from the refinery gates, emphasized the gravity of the incident.

“We’re very concerned and committed to investigating exactly what happened here,” he said. “Our priority is protecting residents and preventing further damage.”

In response to the fire and thick smoke, Manhattan Beach officials issued a shelter-in-place order lasting approximately three hours, urging residents to keep windows and doors closed and bring pets indoors.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell reassured the public that the fire was contained and urged caution, “There is no cause for alarm for El Segundo or the surrounding areas at this time, but residents should remain vigilant and follow safety instructions.”

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass tweeted that the Los Angeles Fire Department was on standby to support local efforts if needed.

California Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on the situation and confirmed his office was coordinating with local and state agencies to safeguard the community and public health.

Air quality monitoring began immediately, with officials closely tracking potential hazardous emissions caused by the blaze. Residents in the vicinity were warned to avoid outdoor activities and keep ventilation systems closed.

The Chevron refinery in El Segundo, one of the largest on the West Coast, processes approximately 290,000 barrels of crude oil per day and produces gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel.

Founded in 1911 under the Standard Oil Company of California, the facility has a history marked by occasional fires and industrial incidents. Notably, in 2017, a fire sparked by a pump failure was quickly extinguished by firefighters, but this week’s blaze proved far more intense.

The refinery sits precariously between two residential neighborhoods and the Pacific coastline, making the potential for disaster a serious concern.

Thankfully, no injuries have been reported so far, but the incident has reignited questions about the safety protocols and environmental risks of operating such large industrial complexes near densely populated areas.

Operations at Los Angeles International Airport, located just four miles north of the refinery, remained unaffected. Airline officials confirmed that flights continued without delay despite the massive fire and smoke plumes visible from the terminals.

Chevron has yet to release a full statement explaining the cause of the explosion or the extent of the damage, but sources indicate a detailed investigation is underway. I

ndustry experts suggest the fire may have originated from a mechanical failure or equipment malfunction, but officials caution it’s too early to draw conclusions.

As firefighters continue to battle residual flames and assess structural damage, many local residents remain shaken. “The sound was deafening, and the sky turned orange with flames.

You don’t expect something like this in your neighborhood,” said Alicia Gomez, who lives a few blocks from the refinery. “It’s a wake-up call for all of us about the dangers lurking nearby.”

The incident adds to growing concerns over aging infrastructure and the environmental impact of fossil fuel processing facilities in California, a state already grappling with wildfires, air quality issues, and ambitious clean energy goals.

For now, the community watches and waits as emergency crews work through the night to bring the fire fully under control and authorities piece together the exact cause behind one of the most dramatic refinery fires in recent memory.

The story is ongoing and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.