Sept. 17--Firefighters worked late into the night Monday to extinguish a group of salt water disposal tank batteries that lit up during a lightning storm in east Midland.
Midland, Greenwood, Stanton and Northeast volunteer firefighters responded to the massive blaze at about 6:45 p.m. Monday off of interstate 20 near the Midland-Martin County line.
Mark Wohleking, Precinct 2 Constable for Midland County, said lightning ignited the tank batteries, which contain salt water and residual petroleum oil.
John Woodward, Martin County Sheriff, said that at least six tanks ignited or exploded due to lightning.
Woodward said firefighters struggled to extinguish the blaze due to the oil and had to use foam to stop the flames.
Meanwhile, law enforcement worked to prevent wrecks caused by rubberneckers, he said.
Midland County Fire Marshal Dale Little said CJ Energy owned the tanks.
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