LOS ANGELES — A massive fire broke out Thursday night at the Chevron oil refinery in El Segundo, following what witnesses described as an explosion that “felt like a small earthquake.”

The El Segundo Police Department confirmed multiple emergency calls came in around the time of the blast, prompting a swift response from both local firefighters and the refinery’s in-house fire team. Crews from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services also mobilized to assist.

El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel said that while the fire was significant, no injuries had been reported.

“We were able to respond with Chevron fire immediately,” Pimentel told reporters. “Obviously, we are very concerned, and there is a lot of investigative work to be done.”

Fire contained but concerns remain

LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell confirmed that crews had managed to contain the fire to one section of the refinery. She assured residents there was no need for evacuation but urged locals to remain indoors as a precaution.

“It has been contained and there is no cause for alarm for El Segundo or the surrounding areas,” Mitchell said, while cautioning that smoke could impact air quality.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) noted that no elevated toxin levels were detected immediately after the blaze. Still, AQMD spokesperson Nahal Mogharabi advised residents to keep windows and doors closed if they noticed smoke or odors.

Casey Snow, Division Chief of the El Segundo Fire Department, confirmed there was no threat to nearby Manhattan Beach and that the burning materials were mostly gasoline and diesel. “The fire will either burn itself out or be extinguished with ongoing efforts,” Snow said.

A refinery of national importance

The El Segundo refinery, built in 1911, processes about 276,000 barrels of crude oil per day, making it the largest producing oil refinery on the U.S. West Coast, according to Chevron’s website.

Its proximity to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) sparked concerns about potential flight disruptions, but LAX confirmed that operations continued without delays or cancellations.

Looking ahead

While the blaze has been contained, investigators are expected to probe the cause of the explosion. This is not the first time Chevron has faced refinery-related incidents; the company has previously been criticized over safety lapses at facilities in Richmond, California, and abroad.

For El Segundo residents, the immediate priority is safety. Officials stress that while there is no imminent danger, smoke-related conditions could shift quickly.

As the refinery’s gasoline and diesel flames die down, questions will linger about what caused the explosion at one of California’s most critical energy hubs — and whether it could have been prevented.
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A massive sinkhole opened up in the heart of Bangkok on Wednesday, sparking chaos, evacuations, and emergency operations. The incident occurred in front of the Vajira Hospital on Samsen Road, leaving residents stunned as footage of the ground caving in spread across social media.

According to Thai officials, the sinkhole measured about 50 meters deep (164 feet) and spread across nearly 900 square meters. The collapse dragged down electricity poles and ruptured a drainage pipe, causing water to gush uncontrollably and further weaken the surrounding area. Traffic around the hospital came to a grinding halt as authorities cordoned off the zone to prevent further casualties.

Prime Minister Reacts

Anutin Charnvirakul, the Prime Minister of Thailand, arrived at the site to assess the situation. Addressing reporters, he said:

“Dirt from an underground train construction was sliding in. Luckily there are no deaths or injuries.”

The statement provided relief to residents already concerned about the safety of patients at Vajira Hospital and nearby establishments.

Governor Orders Emergency Measures

Chadchart Sittipunt, the Governor of Bangkok, confirmed that the sinkhole damaged underground infrastructure, cutting off both water and power lines.

“The hospital has no problems, but we are worried about the police station: that’s still dangerous and the public has been evacuated,” he explained.

Authorities moved quickly to ensure the hospital had backup systems in place, though the hospital temporarily suspended new admissions to ensure safety.

Eyewitness Accounts

Residents who witnessed the collapse described the scene as surreal. One local said the road “sank like quicksand” as the drainage system failed. Others filmed dramatic moments where poles and debris vanished into the widening hole.

Social media platforms lit up with hashtags about the Bangkok sinkhole, with many expressing gratitude that no lives were lost.

Possible Cause

Preliminary investigations point to underground train construction as a likely cause. Loose soil combined with pipe leakage created conditions for the ground to cave in. Experts note that Bangkok’s geology, with its layers of soft clay, makes it particularly vulnerable to such collapses when heavy infrastructure is built without reinforced protections.

Past Sinkhole Incidents

This is not the first time Thailand has faced sinkhole scares. Similar incidents, though smaller, have been reported in provinces like Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima. However, the scale of this Bangkok collapse is among the largest in recent memory.

Authorities’ Response

Sinkholes are not unique to Thailand. Countries such as China, United States, and Mexico have all battled devastating sinkholes in urban areas, often linked to underground construction and aging drainage systems.

By noon, Thai authorities reported that ground movement had been halted. Engineers were closely monitoring the site, while rescue teams stood by in case the collapse extended. Heavy machinery has been deployed to stabilize the soil, and barricades have been set up to prevent onlookers from venturing too close.

Governor Sittipunt emphasized that long-term solutions would involve reinforcing the underground train project and overhauling drainage networks to prevent repeat incidents.

Broader Impact

The sinkhole disrupted not only traffic but also emergency services. With a police station in the vicinity under threat, officials rushed to relocate staff and important documents. Meanwhile, commuters faced hours-long delays, and businesses near Vajira Hospital were forced to close temporarily.

Urban planning experts argue that Bangkok must rethink its infrastructure resilience. With rising rainfall due to climate change, the city’s already fragile drainage system is under enormous stress. Events like this underline the urgency for preventive action rather than reactive measures.

Conclusion

The Bangkok sinkhole has served as a wake-up call for Thai authorities and urban planners. While no lives were lost, the risks remain high until the site is fully secured. For residents, the terrifying images of the ground opening beneath one of the busiest roads in the capital will not be forgotten anytime soon.

Stay updated on this developing story at Daily Global Diary, where we bring you real-time global news and analysis.

Former President Donald Trump is once again making headlines after his fiery claims against the United Nations. Speaking through his social media platform on September 24, Trump accused the UN of orchestrating what he called “triple sabotage” during his high-profile address to the General Assembly in New York City.

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According to Trump, three separate technical failures occurred: a malfunctioning escalator, a broken teleprompter, and audio problems in the auditorium. “This wasn’t a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the UN. They ought to be ashamed of themselves,” Trump wrote in his post, demanding investigations and even arrests.

The escalator incident

Trump’s troubles began as he arrived with former First Lady Melania Trump. An escalator at the UN headquarters unexpectedly stopped, leaving the former president momentarily stuck. UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric later clarified that the issue was not sabotage but a safety mechanism triggered by a videographer from Trump’s own team.

According to Dujarric, the videographer was walking backwards on the escalator while filming Trump’s arrival. The equipment’s safety system shut down automatically when the camera operator reached the top, just as Trump and Melania were stepping on at the bottom. A technical readout confirmed that the machine had reacted as designed.

Teleprompter confusion

Trump also complained about the teleprompter, insisting it was not working at the beginning of his address. However, UN officials pointed out that the White House had brought and operated its own teleprompter equipment. An unnamed UN official told Reuters that the UN teleprompters “were working perfectly,” a claim echoed by General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock, who jokingly reassured the audience after Trump’s speech.

Sound troubles

The third issue involved audio. Trump said he was told the sound was “completely off” in the auditorium while he spoke. Attendees inside the General Assembly, however, reported hearing him, though some admitted the sound fluctuated briefly. UN officials did not confirm any widespread system failure.

Political undertones

Critics argue Trump’s accusations reflect his long-standing combative relationship with international organizations. During his presidency, Trump frequently criticized the UN, NATO, and the World Health Organization. Supporters, however, rallied behind him online, claiming the alleged glitches were “too convenient” to be dismissed as mere accidents.

While the UN insists the malfunctions were either coincidental or caused by Trump’s own team, the former president remains unconvinced. His accusations have added yet another dramatic chapter to his already tumultuous relationship with the global body.

Whether this was indeed “triple sabotage” or simply a string of unfortunate technical errors, one thing is clear: Donald Trump has ensured that his UN appearance will not be quickly forgotten.