No injuries, evacuations from refinery fire in LA

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles fire officials say they've choked off a fire burning at a Wilmington refinery, but nearby schools are being urged to keep students indoors until the smoke clears.

The fire at the 300-acre Tesoro refinery south of downtown was reported shortly after 5 a.m. and was confined to a coker unit. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A refinery spokeswoman says the fire will have minimal effect on operations.

The fire sent a huge plume of black smoke hundreds of feet into the air. Deputy Fire Chief Mario Rueda says fuel oil to the burning machinery was shut down and more than 100 firefighters helped extinguish the blaze in less than four hours. There were no injuries.

Officials say people within a mile have been asked to stay indoors as a precaution.