Oil tank fire rages at Montgomery Co. asphalt plant, prompting air quality concern
A fire involving two oil tanks at a sprawling Montgomery County, Maryland, asphalt plant Thursday afternoon sent thick clouds of black smoke billowing into the sky that could be seen for miles around.
There is no danger to the surrounding communities or the public, but the heavy smoke has prompted air quality concerns, said Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer at an afternoon news conference.
The fire is the F.O. Day Bituminous Company’s Rockville quarry and asphalt plant at 13900 Piney Meeting House Road. Firefighters were dispatched to the quarry around 11:45 a.m., Piringer said. As of 2:15 p.m., the blaze was still burning and said the fire was expected to continue to burn for the next several hours.
Because the fire involves asphalt, which is made from petroleum, firefighters cannot use water but have to use other mean, such as foam.
While air quality is a concern, Piringer said it wasn’t a “high-level alert,” and likened to a Yellow Alert. He said people should limit their time outdoors and close their windows if they are in a smoky area.
All of the workers were evacuated from the plant and no one was injured in the fire, Piringer said.
Footage from SkyTrak7, the news helicopter operated by 7News, showed the tanks burning, with black smoke billowing above the flames.
The tanks contain used motor oil and liquid asphalt, according to Piringer. More than 75 firefighters were on the scene as of 12:30 p.m.
This is a developing story. Stay with WTOP for the latest developments.