Explosion, Fire Causes Oil Spill in Western ND

ALEXANDER, N.D. (AP) — State officials are investigating the cause of an explosion and fire at a saltwater disposal site in western North Dakota's McKenzie County.

The mid-day Thursday incident destroyed 13 storage tanks and resulted in a spill of 270 barrels of oil and 2,440 barrels of saltwater, a byproduct of oil and gas production. One barrel holds 42 gallons.

The spill was contained on site.

McKenzie County Emergency Manager Jerry Samuelson says the incident happened at a Mesa Oil Services site about eight miles southwest of Alexander. No one was hurt, though Samuelson says a truck driver suffered an apparent heart attack at the scene.