• Subscribe
  • Buyer's Guide
  • In Print
  • Advertise
  • Station Design Conference
  • FireFusion
  • Podcasts
    1. Home

    Lightning Ignites Gasoline Tank

    Oct. 1, 1996
    Lightning caused a major fire after it struck a three-million-gallon gasoline storage tank.

    Source Firehouse Magazine

    Sewaren, Woodbridge Township, NJ, June 11, 1996 Lightning struck a three-million-gallon gasoline storage tank. The resulting fire exposed nearby tanks that contained nearly 10 million gallons of gasoline. The Shell Oil tank was about three quarters full when it exploded. The cover was blown off the tank. Hose streams were used to cool the tank and exposures. At the height of the fire, nearly 55,000 gpm were being flowed from land and aerial equipment.
    undefined

    Photo by Michael Wainick West Windsor Fire Company 1 pumps from the Arthur Kill to its Engine 8, "The Pride of Midtown," as part of a relay to bring additional water to the scene.

    undefined
    Photo by Donald Wagner Additional large-diameter hose is stretched into the complex. The facility housed 17 large tanks.
    undefined
    Photo by Donald Wagner Flames rose hundreds of feet into the air. The three-million-gallon tank was two-thirds full of gasoline.
    undefined
    Photo by Donald Wagner Firefighters hand stretch additional large-diameter hose into the area to supply water for cooling exposure tanks.
    undefined
    Photo by Donald Wagner Three engines and the FDNY fireboat Firefighter supplied additional water for cooling and a foam attack.
    undefined
    Photo by Willie Cirone The top of the tank folded in after the cover was blown off during the thunderstorm. Adjacent tanks started to glow red from the intense radiant heat.
    undefined
    Photo by Willie Cirone Several pieces of apparatus suffered cracked windshields. The first units were able to position within 50 feet of the tank.
    undefined
    Photo by Willie Cirone Shell Oil workers drained the gasoline into other tanks. About 200 people were evacuated from homes nearby.
    undefined
    Photo by Willie Cirone At the height of the fire, nearly 55,000 gpm were flowing onto the adjacent tanks to keep them cool.
    undefined
    Photo by Keith Repace Mutual aid from five counties, an FDNY fireboat and several FDNY battalion chiefs as foam coordinators and numerous industrial brigades assisted at the scene.
    undefined
    Photo by Gabriel Greenberg Smoke from the fire was visible for about 50 miles. Flames roared hundreds of feet in the air.
    undefined
    Photo by George Fen Carteret Snorkel and Woodbridge Truck 5 operate hose streams to cool adjacent exposed tanks.
    undefined
    Photo by Willie Cirone The fire burned for nearly 28 hours. It took 350 firefighters and 1,200 emergency workers to bring the situation under control.

    Ohio, Texas Fuel Facilities Explode In Flames

    undefined
    Photo by Eric Guilliams Coshocton, OH, Jan. 22, 1996 Firefighters found seven oil tanks on fire, forcing them to close U.S. 36 and creating major traffic problems in eastern Coshocton County. Four departments assisted at the fire, which caused several explosions and huge fireballs. Three tanks exploded; all seven were destroyed.
    undefined

    Photo by Jim Vasaldua Dime Box, TX, July 14, 1996 Two men were killed and a steel rig was destroyed in a series of three explosions at a natural gas well. The heat of the fire was 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and hampered rescuers' recovery of one of the men killed. It was estimated to take from two to 10 days to extinguish the 40-foot-high fireball. The fire could be seen from 20 miles away at night. The location of the incident was 65 miles southeast of Austin. The gas well was roughly 8,700 feet deep.

    Voice Your Opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!