Major Fire Erupts at El Segundo Chevron Refinery Near Inglewood, No Injuries Reported

A large fire broke out at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo on October 2, 2025, sending orange flames into the night sky near Los Angeles International Airport. Despite the dramatic scene, officials reported no injuries or evacuations were necessary.

The fire started around 9:30 p.m. in the southeast corner of the massive facility, which produces 276,000 barrels of crude oil daily and is the largest producing oil refinery on the West Coast, according to Chevron’s website.

“We were able to respond with Chevron fire immediately,” said El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel. “There is a lot of investigative work to be done.”

The blaze, which involved gasoline and diesel, was contained to one area of the refinery. Fire department officials said they expected the fire to “burn itself out or be fully extinguished” without spreading to other parts of the facility.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell reassured nearby residents, stating, “It has been contained and there is no cause for alarm.”

The South Coast Air Quality Management District monitored air quality throughout the incident and reported they were “not seeing any elevated particulate matter or air toxins” that would pose an immediate health risk to surrounding communities, including nearby Inglewood.

LAX operations continued normally despite the proximity of the fire, with airport officials confirming the incident had no impact on flights or passenger services.

The Chevron refinery, constructed in 1911, is a major economic presence in the South Bay region. However, its proximity to residential areas in El Segundo, Inglewood, and other neighboring communities has long raised concerns about potential air quality impacts.

Residents of Inglewood and surrounding areas reported seeing the orange glow in the sky and smelling smoke during the incident. The fire was visible from several miles away.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Chevron officials said they are cooperating fully with local and state authorities to determine what sparked the blaze and to implement any necessary safety improvements.

This incident serves as a reminder of the industrial infrastructure surrounding Inglewood and the importance of emergency preparedness in the community.

Sources: CBS Los Angeles, El Segundo Mayor’s Office, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, South Coast Air Quality Management District