Refinery fire leaves El Segundo rattled

Residents who live near Chevron facility have concerns about explosions and odors.

- BY RUBEN VIVES

The city of El Segundo could not be more tied to the oil refinery that is a hulking presence in the seaside city.

In 1911, the Standard Oil Co. designated the site as home to its second refinery, and El Segundo (Spanish for “the second”) was born.

Over the decades, the refinery and the city have coexisted, mostly without drama. Chevron, the oil giant that now owns the refinery, looms over the suburb of 16,000, whose prime location on the beach and proximity to LAX had made it a choice residential and business address.

Thursday's massive explosion brought minutes of terror to residents who live in parts of El Segundo and Manhattan Beach, as fire lighted up the night sky. Even though the fire died down and officials said there were no injuries and little damage to speak of, some residents said Thursday was a wake-up call.

By Friday morning, residents appeared to be getting back to daily life — walks with dogs, chats with neighbors.

Construction crews were back to building a housing development project at Alma and Rosecrans Avenue in Manhattan Beach.

Residents there strolled past shops with a cup of coffee in one hand and leashed pets in the other. Cyclists made their way along Vista del Mar.

In El Segundo, crews were repairing roads, pruning trees, schools were in session. But on occasion, as the wind died down, a light scent of rubber made its way through the air.