Last week, firefighters used about 350 gallons of foam to extinguish an oil tank battery fire that was ignited by a lightning strike Tuesday, October 7th. Miami County Emergency Management Coordinator, Mark Whelan was first on the scene in the 24300 block of Pleasant Valley Road. He says the Wellsville Fire District was dispatched at 7:42 that morning., and he arrived on the scene at 8:05., followed by the first fire units at 8:15 . Wellsville firefighters were joined by those from Paola, Osawatomie, Louisburg, Olathe, Johnson County Fire District no. 1, Douglas County Fire District no. 1, and Cutler Township.
Members of the Miami County Sheriff’s office and Miami County Emergency Medical Services also responded to the scene. Whelan said the fire was extinguished just after 10:00. No injuries were reported, but Whelan says the loss estimate is about $100,000. The Kansas Corporation Commission was expected to supervise the cleanup, whelan said. No word if that cleanup is underway, or who owns the property.
