[Incorrigible]

I didn’t know crude oil could explode like that. I would have thought it was liquid natural gas.

[Fzob]

The explosions could have been BLEVE’s

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=bleve+video&qpvt=bleve+video&FORM=VDRE

Crude oil could explode under conditions that create BLEVE’s.

Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion.

[Paladin2]

When I think about crude, I tend to think LaBrea Tar pits thick black goop.

But obviously most crude contains some straight run gasoline and other lighter hydrocarbons that could easily vaporize, mix with oxygen and be explosive.

[Maine Mariner]

Yes, I did not think crude oil would explode like that, but a crack on one of the cars can let out fumes and they explode.

[I_be_tc]

I am with you. This is strange. Crude hauls in less than a 100 psi tankcar. Not high pressure like propane or butane. Keep shaking my head. So many exploded. Wow.