UPDATE: HAWKINS (KYTX) - Hawkins Fire Marshal John Jones says the department got a call just after 5:30 Thursday. Three AKP oil tanks were on fire.
"Thunderstorm blew through and apparently a lightening strike hit the tank battery here and set the oil on fire and we responded." said Jones.
Jones says it took three other fire departments and 45 firefighters to control the fire. It rekindled at least twice.
"Out here, you know, trying to get water as fast as we could. And once we ran out of water, and waited for the other water, the fire lit back up. We almost had it out a couple of times."
Firefighters say when they arrived, all of this was on fire and there were flames up to 40 feet in the air. They're just thankful that no one was injured and there are no homes nearby.
Jones says getting water was difficult because of the fire's rural location.
"It's just out here in the middle of the woods. Only one way in, one way out." he said.
After controlling the fire, Jones says they decided to stay on site and make sure it burned out safely.
The fire burned 80 barrels of oil.
UPDATE: (TMT) Hawkins Fire Department dispatchers said the oil-tank fire is under control.
Fire crews on the scene are currently monitoring the situation to make sure the fire stays contained.
No injuries or structure damage beyond the two initially destroyed batteries was reported, authorities said.
Four Wood County fire departments are on the scene of a fire affecting three oil tank batteries, authorities with the Hawkins Fire Department confirmed.
The departments were paged out to County Road 3824 around 5:25 p.m., dispatchers with Hawkins Fire Department said. The fire has destroyed two of the batteries and crews are working to keep the flames, possibly caused by a lightning strike, from destroying a third tank.
Hawkins, Holly Lake, Hainesville and Quitman fire departments are fighting the fire.
Courtesy of the Tyler Morning Telegraph
Four Wood County fire departments are on the scene of a fire affecting three oil tank batteries, authorities with the Hawkins Fire Department confirmed.
The departments were paged out to County Road 3824 around 5:25 p.m., dispatchers with Hawkins Fire Department said. The fire has destroyed two of the batteries and crews are working to keep the flames, possibly caused by a lightning strike, from destroying a third tank.
Hawkins, Holly Lake, Hainesville and Quitman fire departments are fighting the fire.
