Firefighters battle blaze at California Chevron refinery

File photo

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Oct. 18, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — A fire broke out overnight Tuesday at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo, officials reported.

KABC-TV said the fire, raging near storage tanks, was sending thick, black smoke into the air. The fire reached power lines and set off flashes as some of the lines hit the ground.

According to KABC, an explosion preceding the blaze had been reported in the area.

The fire department asked nearby residents to keep their windows closed and shelter in place, but no evacuations were ordered.

It was reported later that firefighters were able to get the flames under control and nearly extinguished within about an hour.

KABC said, “According to Chevron, the refinery is the largest on the West Coast, processing more than 274,000 barrels of crude every day. The property covers 1,000 acres and has a storage capacity of 12. 5 million barrels in 150 storage tanks larger than 30 feet in diameter.”

Firefighters from surrounding communities were called to assist the Chevron and El Segundo firefighters.

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