ROCKPORT (Kiii News) -
An oil-tank battery fire sent flames and smoke up into the air just north of Fulton for more than an hour Wednesday. A passerby said it was started by a lightening strike.
It happened along FM 1781, near the Aransas County Airport, and by around noon on Wednesday, the fire was out.
Two firefighters had to be treated for heat exhaustion, but are okay. As the fire raged on, firefighters with half a dozen agencies battled the flames.
When the fire began, emergency crews raced to the scene. In all, two tank batteries were destroyed, but quick action from firefighters kept the blaze from spreading. It put up lots of smoke, which could be seen from several miles away.
The lightning strike hit the tank on property belonging to Derrick Construction, according to officials on the scene. Luckily, no one was seriously hurt, and no one had to be evacuated.
However, police did shut down FM 1781 as a precaution.
Firefighters' first priority was to find out what was burning inside those tanks. According to Fulton Fire Chief Rickey McLester, the tank that was struck was mostly salt water, but contained some crude oil. The lightning strike caused the tank to burst, which then caused the fire to spread around the property.
Throughout the battle, firefighters also had to deal with the extreme heat. Luckily, the fire corps provided them with plenty of water and shade.
Emergency management stepped in as well, such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Fire officials said it could have been a lot worse.
Photos provided by Gary Smith with Rockport Fire and Rescue.
