Thu, Mar 19th, 2020 - 6:01pm
June 26, 2023 - 9:11pm | By Chris Larson
(Williston, ND) -- Several storage tanks at an oil production site, near Williston, exploded Monday night just after 6:30 p.m.
According to Williston Fire Assistant Chief Corey Johnson, Williston firefighters were dispatched to the area of Highway 1804 and 125th Avenue Northwest at 6:32 p.m. Monday for a report of a lightning strike at an oil production site, causing an explosion. The City of Williston Fire Department was dispatched to assist the Epping Rural Fire District by providing medical standby at the site, and transferring one fire engine to Epping for standby. Additionally, Williston and Williams County Emergency Management were dispatched.
The storage tanks were still actively burning as of 9 p.m. Monday night, and fire crews were on scene monitoring the scene, which had since turned into a controlled burn.
Highway 1804 remains open to through traffic. Residents are advised to turn off home HVAC systems if they see smoke traveling in their direction.
According to Johnson, the initial reports of the fire indicate the cause was from a lightning strike, but the official cause of the blaze has not been confirmed.
