salt plant explosion fayette county
© Fayette County Sergeant Charles Jobb
Officials with Fayette County Sheriff's Office are on the scene of a tank fire near La Grange.

Fayette County officials say that around 6:30 Saturday morning, lightning struck one of five combustible containers at the La Grange Salt Water Disposal Plant, causing it to explode. The explosion caused the remaining four containers to catch fire.

It took around 10 firefighters an hour to get the fire contained and under control.

Ralph Burris, owner of the plant, said that when wells product oil, they also produce salt water. The salt water is injected into a well so it can be returned to the area it is released from.

These types of facilities exist because the Railroad Commission of Texas says the salt water must be disposed of in a way that won't pollute other water. Fiberglass tanks are used as containers.

Officials say the facility is a total loss from the fire.


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