A large oil tank that exploded in St. Clair Township.  28 June 2021.  (Photo by St. Clair Twp. Fire)A large oil tank that exploded in St. Clair Township. 28 June 2021. (Photo by St. Clair Twp. Fire)
Sarnia

Oil tank explosion under investigation

No injuries were reported after a large oil tank exploded Monday night in St. Clair Township.

Fire crews were called to a well at the corner of Brigden Road and Oil Springs Line at around 9 p.m.

St. Clair Township Fire Chief Walt Anderson said it's believed that a lightning strike may have been the cause of the explosion.

"They're getting all of that data from Environment Canada on the lightning strike. So, hopefully we'll be able to pinpoint down exactly what happened there, if that's what it was."

Anderson said approximately 150 barrels of oil were lost on the surrounding ground and that there was no fire when crews arrived on scene.

He said staff from public works brought in truck loads of sand to dam up the ditches in an effort to contain the oil.

The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal is investigating.

The Spills Action Centre was contacted and the Ministry of Environment also attended the scene to evaluate the spill.

The owner of the well has been contacted and has a contractor on standby to clean up the site once the investigation is complete.

-With files from Melanie Irwin

St. Clair Twp. Fire and the Ontario Fire Marshal on scene of a exploded oil tank in St. Clair Township. 29 June 2021. (Photo by St. Clair Twp. Fire) St. Clair Twp. Fire and the Ontario Fire Marshal on scene of a exploded oil tank in St. Clair Township. 29 June 2021. (Photo by St. Clair Twp. Fire)

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