Drivers and emergency responders were shocked as the sky suddenly lit up. The darkness turned orange, and the streets of Los Angeles filled with smoke. The explosion felt like an earthquake as firefighters realized that the Chevron oil refinery had erupted in flames. Now drivers could feel the aftermath at gas pumps. 

The Chevron oil refinery fire raises gas prices 

Around 9:35 PM last night, the Chevron oil refinery suffered a massive explosion. The orange flames and billowing smoke could be seen for miles around El Segundo, Los Angeles, and the South Bay area. 

Gasoline, diesel, and other flammable substances were rapidly burning. Police officers, firefighters, and other emergency responders rushed to the scene to contain the fire. 

Luckily, the refinery has its own fire department that rushed into action to get control of the blaze. It has been contained to the refinery, and the surrounding towns aren’t in danger. 

Also, no one was injured, and all employees have been accounted for. Currently, the fire is still burning. According to Fox News, firefighters shared that the situation is a waiting game, as the gas safely runs out. 

Residents in the area may be impacted by road closures and heavy smoke. However, the Los Angeles airport is operating as normal. But the entire nation might need to brace for increasing gas prices as a result. 

The site produced 276,000 barrels of crude oil a day. It’s the largest producing oil refinery on the West Coast. Plus, California has an isolated fuel market, with limited capacity to draw from other regions. 

There could be a massive shortage, especially on the West Coast. Oil prices have already increased as a steep weekly loss is expected. 

As the gas continues burning, there is an ongoing investigation into the cause of the explosion. There could be an update on the impact of the total losses later in the day.