WBKO - HomePage - Headlines

Lightning Strike Ignites Oil Well Tanks

By: Brandon Miles
Updated: Tue 10:16 AM, Jul 03, 2012

DIXON, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky transportation officials say U.S. 41 has been reopened in Webster County after a lightning strike ignited an oil well tank fire.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said the tanks burst into flame after being hit by lightning around 10 p.m. Monday. The lid from one of the tanks was blown onto the nearby highway. The well is between Dixon and Providence. Two other tanks were burning when firefighters arrived.

A representative of the well operator said a tanker truck had recently pumped oil from the tanks, lessening the fire hazard. Heavy rain that accompanied the storms helped keep the flames from spreading.

The explosion and fire also damaged some power lines in the area, knocking out service.

There were no reports of injuries.


WBKO.com is happy to provide a forum for commenting and discussion. Please respect and abide by the house rules:

Keep it clean, keep it civil, keep it truthful, stay on topic, be responsible, no links, share your knowledge, and please suggest removal of comments that violate these standards.

powered by Disqus

What's on Tonight

ABC Programing FOX Programing CW Programing
WBKO 2727 Russellville Road Bowling Green, KY 42101-3976 Phone: 270-781-1313 After Hours Hotline: 270-781-6397 Fax: 270-781-1814
Gray Television, Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2013 - Designed by Gray Digital Media - Powered by Clickability
User Agent: CCBot/2.0 - 161214475