The view from the south end of Business 59 as we were driving to the fire.
Storage Tank Burns in Plant Fire, LIVINGSTON, June 13, 2010 - At approximately 7 pm on June 13, 2010, a fire was reported from the East Tex Asphalt plant in Livingston. The plant is located at the corner of Business 59 and FM-1988 (across the street from Thomas Supply). Volunteer Firemen from the Scenic Loop and Livingston Fire Departments responded to the scene along with the Livingston Police Department and personnel from the plant itself. According to plant manager Ernie Rowe, the fire was likely caused by either a motor that was left on, or possibly a heater that may have malfunctioned. Rowe stated to PolkCountyToday.com that a heater turns on when the temperature is too low, and turns off when the temperature gets too high. The tank that caught fire contained asphalt. Fortunately, only the exterior insulation on the tank caught fire and the contents of the tank itself did not catch fire. Whether or not it was a motor or a heater or something else that caused the fire is under investigation. Nobody was hurt in the incident and the fire was out by 8 pm.
Special thank you: Precious Angel, Assignment Editor Stash Anderson, Kevin Burman, Chad Summers
Another view from Business 59. (Photo by Stash Anderson)
Volunteer firemen battle the fire against a massive wall smoke as a backrop.
In this picture, you can see that the insulation has burned from the exterior of the tank. The tank contained asphalt.
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