LOS ANGELES – An oil refinery in Southern California erupted in a fireball teh night of oct. 2, sending giant flames visible across the los Angeles basin, officials said.
The fire was first spotted at about 9:32 p.m. local time at the Chevron refinery in el Segundo, located about 20 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles, the El Segundo Police Department told USA TODAY. Multiple fire departments worked to suppress the blaze, and no injuries were reported, authorities said.
A giant plume of smoke rose from the refinery, and more smoke poured out of flare stacks as fire crews worked to douse the flames using ladders and firetrucks, photos from the scene show. Onlookers watching the effort took photos of the flames from miles away near Los angeles International Airport.
“There is no call to evacuate residences or businesses in the city of El Segundo at this time,” police said, adding that the fire was later contained. Nearby roads and highways were closed to allow fire crews access to the area.
Cause of huge fire not yet clear
A Chevron spokesperson told USA TODAY that it’s fire department personnel, including emergency crews from the city of El Segundo and Manhattan Beach, responded to the refinery blaze.
“All refinery personnel and contractors have been accounted for and there are no injuries,” Chevron said in a statement. “No evacuation orders for area