Fire destroys battery of oil tanks
Lightning strike causes Sunday morning blaze
A lightning strike early Sunday morning ignited fires in several oil tanks, located near 60th and Timber in Marion County.
Marion County Emergency Management received a 911 call at 3:20 a.m. advising that a battery of oil tanks had been hit by lightning and were on fire. Six of the 11 tanks were burning.
Peabody Fire Department responded and requested Florence Fire for mutual aid. At the request of the Peabody Fire Department, Marion County Emergency Management was requested and responded to the scene.
The tanks are owned by Arleen Berry/Berry Petroleum, Inc. and Drillers & Producers, Inc. of Newton, according to the news release from Marion County Emergency Management.
Billy Rogers, petroleum company production foreman, responded to the scene and a joint decision was made to allow the tanks to burn out.
Ten of the 11 tanks were a total loss. The 11th tank also is expected to be totaled. Oil loss is estimated to be at approximately 450 barrels.
The Kansas Corporation Commission and appropriate state agencies have been notified and cleanup will be monitored accordingly.
