Harris County officials are investigating a petroleum storage tank fire that occurred yesterday afternoon in northwest Harris County. According to KHOU, the fire started around 2 p.m. near Richey Road and Veterans Memorial. Footage from the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office shows two juveniles leaving the area near the burning tanks. Authorities have not identified the children as suspects and are ensuring they receive medical attention after one was seen splashing water on his face.
Emergency radio recordings captured a deputy reporting that workers believed a child may have been on one of the tanks at the time of the explosion and could have been thrown from it. Local residents, including Janie Martinez, reported feeling the shockwaves from the blast, with Martinez saying her house shook significantly.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office reported that the fire was contained by 4:20 p.m. the same day, as per BIC Magazine. No injuries have been reported, and officials stated there are no health concerns related to the smoke. The fire involved two tanks: one storing petroleum and another holding a byproduct of petroleum products.
Investigators are asking the parents of the children seen in video footage to come forward to ensure their safety. The public is also encouraged to provide information by contacting the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-221-6000. The cause of the fire, which was extinguished with foam by fire crews, remains under investigation by the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office. The hazmat team on scene reported that there are no threats to the surrounding area.
