A powerful explosion followed by a massive, towering fire erupted at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo, California, on the night of Thursday, October 2, 2025. The colossal blaze, which eyewitnesses described as turning “the whole sky orange,” sent shockwaves and thick plumes of smoke visible for miles across the Southland.
The incident began around 9:30 p.m. (PST) at a processing unit located in the southeast corner of the facility.
Key Developments:
- Explosion Felt Like an Earthquake: Residents living near the facility reported hearing a loud noise and feeling a distinct rumble that some compared to a small earthquake before the flames erupted.
- Contained, No Threat to Public: Despite the dramatic visual, authorities confirmed by early Friday morning that the fire had been contained to a single section of the massive 1,000-acre refinery, and there was no known threat to the public. No evacuations were ordered for El Segundo.
- Zero Injuries: Chevron officials confirmed that all refinery personnel and contractors were accounted for, and no injuries were reported among workers or the public.
- Fire Extinguished: The fire was fully contained and officially extinguished by Friday morning following a coordinated effort by the refinery’s on-site fire department and crews from El Segundo, Los Angeles County, and neighboring cities.
- Air Quality Concerns: While initial reports from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) did not show immediate elevated levels of toxins, officials advised residents to remain indoors, keep windows closed, and monitor air quality due to the potential impact of the smoke plume.
- Investigation Launched: The cause of the initial explosion remains unclear, and Chevron has launched an internal investigation to determine how the incident occurred at the facility, which is one of the largest oil refineries on the West Coast.
The blaze, which lit up the night sky just a few miles south of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), did not disrupt airport operations, according to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.