(AP) — Authorities in northeast Kansas are blaming a lightning strike for an explosion and fires at an oil tank farm.
No injuries were reported when three 8,500-gallon crude oil tanks were struck around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday in northern Leavenworth County.
Emergency management officials say two of the tanks exploded. One went airborne and landed about 200 yards away. The top of a third tank was blown off, and most of the oil inside burned.
Flames were visible from five miles away. Firefighters allowed the oil in the tanks to burn itself out, along with a 1,000-gallon propane tank that also ignited.
The company that owns the tank farm was cleaning up about 2,000 gallons of crude oil that spilled onto the ground.
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