2 workers injured in oil tank explosion in Galveston

Two workers were injured when an oil tanker exploded in Galveston on May 19, 2020. (KPRC)

GALVESTON, Texas – Two people are injured after an oil tank explosion in Galveston, authorities said.

The Galveston Fire Department was called out to the Pelican Island Storage Terminal on GTI Boulevard on Pelican Island following the explosion to put out a crude oil tank fire, a city official told i45 Now.

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Officials said crews appeared to have been welding near or at the tank that carries 2 million gallons of heavy crude oil products when the tank exploded.

Firefighters are using foam cannons to try and put out the fire.

Texas A&M University in Galveston, which is located near the facility, has issued a shelter-in-place for the limited number of people who are on campus.

The facility is an oil storage terminal that can hold 500,000 barrels of heavy fuel storage, carbon black oil, vacuum gas oil and fuel oil cutterstock, according to the website.

There is no word on the condition of the injured workers.

WATCH LIVE: Sky 2 is over the scene of an oil tanker explosion in Galveston County. DETAILS: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/05/19/developing-2-workers-injured-in-oil-tank-explosion-in-galveston/

Posted by KPRC2 / Click2Houston on Tuesday, May 19, 2020

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.


About the Author

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.