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 powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake shook the central Philippines late Tuesday night, killing at least 69 people and injuring dozens more. The hardest-hit province, Cebu, declared a state of calamity early Wednesday as repeated aftershocks sent terrified families into the streets and crippled basic services.

“Children were crying… people were traumatised”

Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes. One Cebu resident told the BBC he spent the night outside after power and water lines were cut, adding: “You could hear the voices of crying children everywhere. They were traumatised.”

The earthquake comes barely a week after the Philippines endured two successive typhoons, which claimed more than a dozen lives and displaced hundreds of thousands. The dual disasters have stretched emergency services thin in one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations.

Bogo city bears the brunt

Most victims were from Bogo city, a small town in the Visayas Islands near the quake’s epicentre. Shocking images showed cadaver bags lined along the streets while makeshift hospitals treated hundreds of wounded in tents. Officials warned of “a lot of damage,” noting that roads buckled, bridges collapsed, and power lines fell, complicating rescue and relief operations.

Tragically, seven of the victims were living in a housing village originally built for survivors of Typhoon Haiyan—the 2013 superstorm that killed more than 6,000 people.

Disaster strikes during daily life

In San Remigio, the quake struck while a basketball game was underway, sending panic through the crowd. Nearly 20 people were injured, and at least one later died from their injuries, officials confirmed.

As aftershocks rattled the province—including a 4.7 tremor on Wednesday evening—rescue officials prioritised restoring electricity, clearing debris, and rushing relief goods to stranded residents.

Churches and heritage sites at risk

The archbishop of Cebu urged Catholics to stay away from churches until safety assessments are completed. This warning is particularly significant in Cebu, home to centuries-old churches dating back to the 1500s Spanish colonisation. Footage captured the dramatic collapse of a church tower in one locality.

A nation at the mercy of nature

The Philippines’ vulnerability to natural disasters stems from its geography. Located on the volatile Pacific “Ring of Fire”, the nation is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Its position along typhoon tracks makes it equally exposed to devastating storms.

Just last month, Tropical Storm Bualoi and Typhoon Ragasa struck, killing over a dozen people and forcing mass evacuations.

The road ahead

Officials warn that casualty numbers could rise further as many regions remain cut off. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in Manila is tasked with confirming figures, but their checks are slow and rigorous.

For now, thousands in Cebu and nearby Leyte islands remain without shelter, food, or clean water. Local authorities have appealed for doctors, nurses, and volunteers as the nation braces itself for yet another test of resilience.
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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.