Massive Fire, Explosion Rock Chevron Refinery in El Segundo

"A massive fire erupted at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo on Thursday night, sending towering flames into the air and prompting concerns about air quality and public safety. The inferno, which could be seen for miles across the South Bay, broke out around 9:30 p.m. and was still burning early Friday morning.
Eyewitnesses described the blast as 'like a small earthquake' and 'a big "WHOOOSH" of pressurized wind.' 'Next thing I know, I see everything in front of me just light up and I see shadows of towers and pieces of equipment and I'm just like 'Oh my god. It's a fire'," said a worker who was on site when the fire started.
The El Segundo Police Department received multiple reports of an explosion, and crews from the LA County Fire Department responded to the area. The city of El Segundo urged residents to stay indoors, and officials said there was no threat to public safety. However, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with state and local officials to monitor air quality levels.
Chevron spokesperson Allison Cook said that all refinery personnel and contractors have been accounted for and there are no injuries. The refinery, which is the largest oil-producing site on the west coast, has seen its share of explosions in the past.
As the investigation into the cause of the fire continues, residents are left wondering about the impact on their community. 'We're taking this very seriously, and we're working closely with local authorities to ensure the public's safety,' said El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel. With the refinery's history of explosions and the potential for toxic fallout, the people of El Segundo are watching closely to see what's next.",
"tags": ["El Segundo", "Chevron Refinery", "Fire", "Toxic Fallout", "Public Safety", "Investigation"]
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