Glenpool - A fire continues to burn at a Glenpool tank farm, more than six hours after an apparent lightning strike ignited 125-thousand barrels of unleaded gasoline.
It happpened shortly after nine o'clock near 131st Street South and Highway 75. Thunderstorms were moving through the area when a lightning strike apparently struck one of the several tanks.
We're told the tank, which holds about 125-thousand barrels, was full or nearly full of unleaded gasoline when the fire began. The pipeline was quickly shut down and un-manned fire hoses began fighting the blaze using foam.
Power lines were also isolated to the area so no electricity would flow to the tanks. Evacuations were only voluntary and no injuries were reported. Portions of 131st Street and 126th Street were closed as a precaution.
The winds have been blowing from the northeast, sending the smoke to the southwest, towards Glenpool and Kiefer. People in those areas, especially those with breathing problems, have been asked to remain indoors if possible.
"For those people who do have a respiratory problem, we recommend they avoid the smoke if at all possible," says Monty Elder with the Department of Environmental Quality. Stay indoors, if it's a very hot day in Tulsa, they might even consider going to a part of the city that's not being affected."
The Tulsa hazardous materials crew was called into help fight the blaze, which is expected to burn for several more hours.
On a side note, for those who live in the area, anyone who may have soot on their cars, we're told a simple run through a car wash should clean it up.
This is the same area where a tank exploded after static electricity ignited fumes in one of the tanks on the evening of April 7, 2003.
