Crude oil tank fire extinguished after hours of effort, no injuries reported - The Dickinson Press | News, weather, sports from Dickinson North Dakota

DICKINSON — A crude oil tank fire, caused by a reported explosion, was successfully extinguished earlier today by the Dickinson Fire Department (DFD) in collaboration with multiple local agencies with no injuries reported.

DFD responded to the emergency call at approximately 6 a.m., arriving near 15th Street W and 40th Avenue W, where the fire was located. Alongside DFD, the Dickinson Rural Fire Department and Dickinson Refinery Fire Department joined forces to battle the blaze using Class B foam, which is specifically designed for combating flammable liquid fires such as this.

ADVERTISEMENT

The fire occurred alarmingly close to several densely populated areas, including the West Ridge Apartments, Family Fare supermarket and various local shops prompting DFD to initially issue an evacuation notice to ensure public safety.

However, once on scene and after assessing the situation, fire officials were able to deem the fire under control, allowing them to rescind the evacuation order.

The proximity to Dickinson Middle School prompted emergency responders to prepare for the possible evacuation of students and staff, in case the wind shifted and carried the smoke toward the school.

Emergency personnel from Dickinson Ambulance and Dickinson Public Works were also present to assist, providing medical support if nessesary and managing traffic in the vicinity.

Firefighters faced challenges in containing the fire as it fluctuated during extinguishment efforts. DFD Chief Jeremy Presnell explained the unpredictable nature of the blaze, stating, “It’s kind of unpredictable; it starts to burn itself out, but the heat is so intense that it reignites.”

The fire's unpredictability extended the firefighting efforts to nearly three hours before it was fully extinguished.

As of now, the cause of the explosion remains under investigation by local authorities. Investigators are working to determine what triggered the explosion and subsequent fire, while officials remain vigilant about potential hazards from nearby crude oil storage facilities.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT