Fire departments from several areas of St. Mary Parish responded to an abandoned oilfield tank that caught fire Thursday afternoon. Centerville Fire Chief Randy Hanagriff told KQKI News that his department was dispatched at 4:30 pm to an industrial site approximately 3 miles south of the Intracoastal Waterway. He said the abandoned oilfield waste tank was presumably struck by lightning, adding that lightning strikes had been reported in the area. He said the fire was brought under control within 45 minutes to an hour. The Louisiana State Police HAZMAT Unit, Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Department of Environmental Quality have been contacted.
Chief Hanagriff said, “I would personally like to thank all the responding departments and mutual aid given throughout the parish.”
Baldwin, Bayou Vista, Berwick, Centerville, Chitimacha, District 11, Franklin Fire and Franklin Fire Departments and St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. Acadian Ambulance remained on standby, although no injuries were reported.