PHOTOS: Emergency crews put out a tank fire Thursday afternoon at CITGO. The fire was burning at Cit-Con, often referred to as CLAW (CITGO Lubricant and Wax Plant). Around 1:18 p.m., lightning struck a tank at the CITGO Lake Charles Refinery and ignited a fire, CITGO said in a statement. Emergency crews responded immediately and worked to extinguish the fire for around three and a half hours. The fire was put out at 4:57 p.m., CITGO said. No injuries were reported, and all personnel are accounted for. All other parts of the refinery are operating normally.
Jared Maze, Calcasieuโs Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said an oil/gas substance was burning and there is no offsite impact at this time. โWe have the State Department of Environmental Quality monitoring, theyโre not picking up any particulates at this time,โ Maze said. โRight now thereโs no impact to the residents in the surrounding area. They can go about their business, just stay tuned to local media.โ Maze said DEQ will send out an alert to residentsโ phones if any danger to the public arises. CITGO said crews will continue to monitor the area as a precaution.
