Exxon Mobil Refinery in Calif. damaged following blast

TORRANCE, Calif. -- The Exxon Mobil Refinery in Torrance suffered structural damage following some sort of blast Wednesday morning.

WATCH LIVE: AIR7 HD over the scene

The exact nature of the blast was not immediately known.

Some area residents reported feeling an earthquake-like jolt shortly before 9 a.m. Flames were seen shooting from the refinery, located in the 3700 block of 190th Street.

Some area residents also reported falling ash following the blast.

Torrance police said air quality readings are normal but still advised area residents to shelter in place, turn off HVAC systems and keep all doors and windows closed.

Also, the Torrance Unified School District advised schools to shelter in their students. A total of 13 schools were affected and parents were notified.

Del Amo Boulevard was shut down between Maple Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard.

The cause of the blast was not known.

DEVELOPING...We will add more details to this report as they become available.