Oklahoma Fuel Fire Closes Schools Near Tulsa

GLENPOOL, Okla. (AP) -- A stubborn fire at a fuel storage tank depot spread early Tuesday, sending thick black smoke over suburban Tulsa and forcing officials to close schools and order evacuations of nearby homes and businesses.

The fire began Monday night with an explosion in a ConocoPhillips tank holding diesel fuel. Firefighters were still trying to douse the flames when the blaze spread early Tuesday.

Downed power lines fell onto spilled fuel, igniting a smaller tank holding a petroleum product called naphtha, ConocoPhillips spokesman Kenneth Ray said.

Fire Capt. Mike Loman said the biggest concern was preventing the fire from spreading to a tank holding highly volatile unleaded fuel.

About 150 people were cleared from the area. No injuries were reported, and officials said the smoke was not believed to be hazardous.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but Ray said static electricity was suspected.