EvoAI-Oil tanks catch fire at quarry in Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC

2025-05-04 21:01:56source:Zopescategory:Markets

ROCKVILLE,EvoAI Md. (AP) — Several oil tanks caught on fire late Thursday morning at a quarry in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., sending thick plumes of black smoke into the air that were visible for miles.

The fire was contained by early afternoon while three tanks continued to burn, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer said during a 2 p.m. news conference. Officials said no injuries were reported.

Piringer said two of the tanks contained liquid asphalt and the third contained used motor oil.

He said the cause was not yet known.

The nature of the fire means crews can’t use water to put it out, but Piringer said they have no shortage of the appropriate chemical agents.

Piringer said that since the fire was contained, officials were focused on monitoring the air quality in communities near the Rockville industrial site. He said there was no significant health risk but residents in those areas should limit time outside and close their windows when possible.

State environmental officials were on site and all workers had been evacuated from the immediate area of the fire, Piringer said.

Rockville is about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northwest of Washington. The fire was reported just before noon Thursday.

More:Markets

Recommend

McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnellis still suffering from the effects of a f

New Zealand mother convicted of killing her 3 young daughters

Wellington, New Zealand — A New Zealand jury on Wednesday found a mother guilty of murdering her thr

Tennessee Titans WR Treylon Burks has sprained LCL in his left knee

EAGAN, Minn. — Tennessee Titans receiver Treylon Burks sustained an LCL sprain in his left knee at W