Smoke from El Segundo refinery seen for miles

EL SEGUNDO — A compressor failure at Chevron's El Segundo refinery is being blamed for a huge plume of smoke that could be seen for miles over the Los Angeles area.

Chevron spokesman Rod Spackman says a gas compressor in one of the processing units failed shortly before 4:30 p.m. Friday, sending flames shooting from a closed gas-relief system.

Spackman says it's not yet known why the compressor failed, but the safety system was working and there was no danger.

The 1,000-acre refinery is the largest on the West Coast, according to the company's Web site.

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Information from: Los Angeles Times

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.