Major Explosion, Fire Hit Chevron Refinery in California

On the evening of October 2, a powerful explosion occurred at Chevron's large oil refinery in El Segundo, California, followed by a massive fire. The incident caused serious concern among the local population, and the flames and black smoke rising into the sky were visible from tens of kilometers away, illuminating the night sky with a bright orange hue.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion, after which the plant area immediately caught fire. Numerous firefighting and rescue teams rushed to the scene. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the causes of the emergency, which remain unknown at this time. Neither Chevron nor law enforcement agencies have yet provided official versions of the possible factors behind the explosion.

The El Segundo refinery is considered one of the largest on the US West Coast, processing hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude oil daily to produce gasoline, jet, and diesel fuel. An incident at such a strategically important facility could have serious economic as well as environmental consequences, the scale of which is still being assessed.

State authorities and the Los Angeles Mayor's Office have announced that they are closely monitoring the developments and coordinating their actions to ensure the safety of surrounding communities. So far, there have been no reports of casualties or evacuations. Meanwhile, the incident has not in any way affected the normal operations of the nearby Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The investigation is ongoing to clarify all the circumstances of this major industrial disaster.