Operations & Training

Video: TX Firefighters Contain Blaze from 16 Burning Oil Tanks

April 30, 2020

Mid-County firefighters were able to control a large blaze that started after lightning possibly ignited a number of oil tanks in Caldwell County, sending heavy flames and smoke shooting into the air.

By Katie Hall

Source Austin American-Statesman

Mid-County, TX, firefighters contained a massive blaze that was sparked by lightning possibly striking oil tanks in Caldwell County early Wednesday.

Sixteen oil tanks caught fire Wednesday morning in Caldwell County, according to first responders with Mid-County Fire Rescue.

No one was injured. The fire is under control, though officials reported Wednesday evening that it was still smoldering and firefighters are still monitoring it.

Firefighters responded at 7:18 a.m. to the 1200 block of Young Lane. The fire did not escape the containment dam, Mid-County Fire Rescue officials said.

The fire's cause has not been officially determined. However, the National Weather Service reported a lighting strike at that location, and several witness reports led investigators to believe that a lightning strike caused the fire, Mid-County Fire Rescue officials said.

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