Dominion Energy storage tank of “natural gas liquids” burning in Tyler County, WV
Gov. Justice orders state resources to fight storage tank fire in Tyler County, 5/25/2019
CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice announces this evening that he has ordered all state resources necessary to fight an ongoing natural gas storage tank fire in Tyler County.
On Saturday afternoon, lightning struck a 1 million gallon natural gas condensate storage tank owned by Dominion Resources near Friendly, WV in Tyler County. The tank is on fire, but no product has been released at this time.
Within minutes of being notified, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Austin Caperton advised Gov. Justice of the situation. The governor immediately ordered all assistance be made available to the crews on the ground in Tyler County.
The governor has ordered the West Virginia National Guard and West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to assist with equipment and personnel at the scene. Multiple WVDEP response teams have been dispatched and are en route to assist with the cleanup.
Local fire departments are working to suppress the fire. No injuries have been reported. Further updates to this ongoing situation will be made available by the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
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Residents and Officials talk aftermath of Tyler County gas tank fire
From an Article by Anthony Conn, WTOV News 9, May 29, 2019
TYLER COUNTY, WV — A wild experience in Ben’s Run happened when a gas tank caught fire, forcing residents to evacuate. A scene that some residents had a front row seat to Saturday afternoon: “I walked outside and looked out the back of my house, and there it was,” said resident Charles Price.
It is believed that lightning stuck the million-gallon gas tank and ignited it. The fire prompted an order from Governor Jim Justice to send resources.
About 20 households in Tyler County were evacuated as a precaution. “Everybody was leery, on shaky ground. But we all got back,” said Price.
It took more than 12 hours and several local fire departments to put out the flames. It was extinguished around 6 o’clock Sunday morning.
“It’s the biggest fire I’ve ever been close to,” said Solvay Industries Firefighter Kenny Barker. “We go to South Carolina to train on fires and fighting them, like rail cars. It was nothing compared to this fire. It was very large.”
According to Dominion Energy, no injuries or damage to personal property have been reported. The fire and gasoline were fully contained on the site throughout the incident.
They commend the work of the area fire departments and first responders. “For as big as that fire was, it’s hard to prepare for anything like that,” said Barker. “I’m sure that they’ll all get together, the different fire departments, and look at it and find out better ways to be prepared in case it happens again, which we hope it doesn’t.”
No new information from Dominion Energy at this point, as they say the incident is still under investigation. For previous coverage on the fire, see here.
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For comparison, the National Basketball Association (NBA) court is 94 by 50 feet, or 4,700 square feet. A million gallons is 133700 cubic feet, so the tank was like a NBA basketball court filled to a depth of just over 28 feet, over two stories!
Apparently this was just one tank. Was there no thought of lightning in West Virginia? On a hill? Or did the grounding system fail?
“No product has been released at this time,” – But lots of smoke, judging from the picture. And a lot of adrenaline.
“For as big as that fire was, it’s hard to prepare for anything like that,” said Barker. “I’m sure that they’ll all get together, the different fire departments, and look at it and find out better ways to be prepared in case it happens again, which we hope it doesn’t.” – Say folks, how about smaller tanks for a starter?
Tom Bond, Lewis County, WV