Petroleum Tank Blast in Texas Kills Four teenagers(Palestine, Texas)

http://www.kansascity.com ^ | 4-12-03 | OXENinFLA

[OXENinFLA]

Petroleum Tank Blast in Texas Kills Four Associated Press

PALESTINE, Texas - A petroleum tank exploded as five teenagers were standing on top of it, killing four, authorities said.

Three of the teens were pronounced dead Friday night at the scene of the explosion in the Long Lake area, about 10 miles west of Palestine in eastern Texas.

A fourth died Saturday afternoon at a hospital where she was airlifted following the blast, which occurred about 10 p.m. Friday. A fifth was treated for minor injuries and released.

Authorities said the blast threw some of the teens between 50 and 75 yards away, police said. The tank, owned by Key Production Company Inc., had about 6 inches to a foot of oil in the bottom.

Investigators were trying to determine what ignited the blast.

A witness said he saw flames shoot up about 100 feet in the air. Vernel Smith, who lives about a mile from the scene, said she felt her house shake.

"It rocked my house from front to back," Smith said. "I thought my water heater had exploded or something."

Lt. Chuck Franklin said the teenagers were camping at a cabin with their grandfather Friday night, and at some point went for a walk and ended up at the tank.

[schmelvin]

...by the time I was old enough to wander around unsupervised I sure knew not to cross a fence, any fence.

I grew up in The South too, and one of the first things kids old enough to wander learned was: Do NOT Ever Cross a Fence!

If your parents neglected to teach you that little lesson, you'd get your schooling via a rump full of buckshot.

[nanny]

I grew up in The South too, and one of the first things kids old enough to wander learned was: Do NOT Ever Cross a Fence!

I see the wisdom in that today, but you don't know how sad that sounds to me. When I was young, we wandered anywhere we wanted (don't know if we would have gone to industrial sites, etc.,). We could even ride our horses anywhere we wanted if we could get through a gate - the only rule was never cut a fence or 'ride' a fence. I remember getting on a horse with friends and riding across the county through people's property. Of course, we were taught to respect the property of others - but times and people have changed and not for the better in so many ways.

[txdoda]

... was the compound properly marked with 'hazard' warning signage ... >>>>>>>>>

Yes, these tanks were CLEARLY marked with DANGER/NO TRESS-
PASSING signs. I live near Palestine, TX.

This happened at a small community named "Long Lake" abt.
10 miles from Palestine. Local residents are reporting that these teens (from Mt. Pleasant, TX ) were told SEVERAL times
by the local residents, to STAY AWAY from these tanks.
Locals also say the teens were seen smoking cigarettes, while walking thru the area.

Still, it's a very tragic event, and my thoughts are with the families.......

[FITZ]

C'mon, were you not a little stupid at 14 or 15? I know I was.

That's what sad --- most kids --- or at least those who have any fun at all do something stupid at least once or twice.