TX Apparatus Catches Fire after Oiler Truck Blast

Midland crews responded to an explosion involving a hot oiler truck when a hose disconnected, spilling fluid and setting a fire underneath an apparatus at the scene.

Nov. 22, 2019

An explosion involving a hot oiler truck set a Texas fire apparatus on fire that was responding to the blast Thursday.

The incident happened while the truck and a track tank were offloading product in southeast Midland, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram. A hose also unhooked from the truck, spewing fluid and creating a fire under a Midland Fire Department apparatus.

"It’s just an industrial accident that happened to have an explosion. They tend to happen, probably a little more frequently in our region than in other regions, because we are an oil and gas field," Chief Charles Blumenauer told the Reporter-Telegram.

Firefighters were able to put out the blaze, and officials said there wasn't a chance of additional explosions. One person was injured and taken to the hospital.

Although an apparatus was damaged, no firefighters were hurt battling the blaze.