A hot oiler truck exploded at a Midland, Texas oilfield last Thursday afternoon, sending one worker to the hospital with burns to his hands and face.
Hot Oiler Truck Exploded at Oasis Transportation and Marketing
The Midland Fire Department responded to reports of an explosion at Oasis Transportation and Marketing Corp., located off FM 307 and Fairgrounds roads in southeast Midland, just after 10:30 a.m. on November 22nd.
The blast apparently erupted as the hot oiler and a track tank were offloading product.
Once emergency crews arrived, a hose disconnected from the hot oiler, spilling fuel on the ground and triggering a blaze that quickly spread to Fire Engine No. 3 and at least four frac trucks.
Fast-Moving Fire Destroyed Midland Fire Truck
Firefighters were forced to abandon their truck and allow the flames to burn themselves out. All homes and businesses within a ½ mile of the site were ordered evacuated.
“They’re feeling a little like they’ve let me down and they haven’t… I don’t know how many guys had said that, it’s in the situation that they’re all unique and different and this is a unique one,” Midland Fire Chief Charles Blumenauer said Thursday afternoon. “No one would have ever expected that hose to break and send fluid across the ground. That’s not something we expected to happen.”
Worker Listed in Serious Condition after Explosion
Meanwhile, paramedics transferred a 29-year-old worker to Midland Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in serious condition. It’s unknown if the injured man is a contract worker or an employee of Oasis Transportation and Marketing.
So far, it’s also not clear what caused last Thursday’s explosion in Midland.
Officials with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality are investigating the incident and will coordinate cleanup efforts.
Hot Oiler Truck Exploded Near Major Midland Storage Terminal
Located in the heart of the Permian Basin, Midland, Texas is one of the busiest oil-producing regions in the United States.
According to Reuters, Oasis Transportation and Marketing is located just a ½ mile south from a Midland oil storage terminal owned by Centurion Pipeline LP. Fortunately, those operations were not impacted by last week’s explosion and fast-moving fire.
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