Lightning Sparks Large Fire

Lighting struck a storage tank and caused an explosion at an oilfield saltwater disposal site west of La Grange Wednesday afternoon. The site is located on State Highway 71 across from McCourt and Sons Equipment. The explosion blew the tank apart and launched it hundreds of feet away (right). The fire engulfed equipment and other tanks used for separating crude oil from saltwater waste that comes from oil wells. The equipment was situated inside an earthen berm, and the berm appeared to have contained fluids that leaked from the tanks. La Grange and Muldoon Volunteer Fire Departments responded. The fire was still smouldering Thursday morning. There were no injuries reported. Photos by Andy Behlen