Plumes of smoke rose over a Chevron oil refinery in southern California on Thursday after reports of an explosion, according to US media and social media footage.

Residents of El Segundo, a seaside town a few miles south of Los Angeles International Airport, published video clips online showing a large flame rising from the refinery with a loud, continuous rumbling.

El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel told local TV station K-CAL News shortly before 11 p.m. (0600 GMT) that authorities had received no reports of injuries.

According to Pimentel, the cause of the fire is still unknown.

LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell told the outlet that firefighter crews contained the blaze to one area of the refinery and that residents did not have to evacuate.

“It has been contained and there is no cause for alarm for El Segundo or the surrounding areas,” Mitchell said.

California Governor Gavin Newsom “has been briefed on the incident at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery in Los Angeles County,” his press office said on X.

“Our office is coordinating in real time with local and state agencies to protect the surrounding community and ensure public safety,” it added.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the flames cooled down significantly within an hour of the explosion being recorded about 0430 GMT, but flames and smoke could be seen for miles over the South Bay.

The El Segundo refinery is the largest on the US West Coast, processing more than 276,000 barrels of petroleum per day, according to Chevron’s website.

AFP