[Attention Surplus Disorder]

So what can explode in a water tank? Accumulation of methane?

[BenLurkin]

Dunno. Kinda hoping somebody here knows the answer to that question.

[Larry Lucido]

Never smoke while filling a water tank. Always have water nearby.

[PistolPaknMama]

So what can explode in a water tank?

My guess is the whole town was under-vaccinated.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I think the reporterette doesn’t know what “explosion” means. It wasn’t an explosion in the normal sense (unless somebody set a depth charge off IN the tank). It appears to be an overpressure situation with the remarkable failure of 100% of the circumferential weld attaching the tank walls to the base.

[fidelis]

“As a contractor started to weld, an explosion ensued. The tank separated from the ground, lifted approximately 70 feet vertically before a tsunami occurred, causing major damage to well site 7,” Lemoore City Manager Nathan Olson said.

My guess is that this welding was going on near or below the tank in a confined space that had not been properly purged of some gas that had settled there, be it methane or some other explosive gas. Open flame meets gas in confined space = KABLOOEY.