'Malfunction' Sends Flame, Smoke Skyward

A "malfunction" at the Chevron Refinery in El Segundo required a flare-up Tuesday, said Manhattan Beach Fire Department Battalion Chief Ken Shuck.

Flame and plumes of smoke were visible in the surrounding areas until about 3:10 p.m. when the flare-up stopped. 

Shuck said the flare-up was "not planned" and that "something broke."

MBFD was notified before Chevron began the flare-up, he said. "They called dispatch. They did exactly what they're supposed to do," he said.

An "Unplanned Flare Event Notification Received by South Coast Air Quality Management District" indicated the flare-up would last from 1:25 p.m. to 3:25 p.m.

Chevron had not returned Patch calls as of publication time. An AQMD spokesperson said the agency would look into the flare-up and report back.

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