One of the workers involved in the accident watches as fire fighters battle the blaze.
Oil Field Fire in South Polk County Draws Response from Multiple VFD's, SCHWAB CITY, June 17, 2008 - A lunchtime fire in an old oil field off of Munson Road in South Polk County drew an immediate response from 5 different fire departments. The fire occurred off of Munson Road in the vicinity of Schwab City when workers who were disassembling some old storage tanks accidentally caught one of the tanks on fire. The workers were cutting into the steel tanks to disassemble them with circular saws when sparks ignited residual oil in one of the tanks. The tank caught fire as did the underbrush in the heavily wooded area. Firefighters from Livingston, Scenic Loop, Onalaska, South Polk County, and Holiday Lake Estates volunteer fire departments were summoned to help contain the problem before it turned into full blown forest fire. Several fire engines were at the scene of the fire as well as a surplus of firefighters including Livingston Fire Chief, Corky Cochran. Also at the scene of the fire was Polk County Emergency Management Coordinator, Kenneth Hambrick and Polk County Sheriff's Deputy, Billy Duke. The flames were so hot that there was melted steel around the old tanks including a metal ladder that was apparently being used by the workers. The firefighters had the situation under control very quickly due to such a quick response. Nobody was reported injured during the emergency situation but an ambulance from Americare Ambulance Service was standing by if needed. The firefighters had everything under control well before 2 pm.
