These reports describe significant environmental incidents reported to and tracked by the National Response Center. They reflect both new incidents and follow-up information describing actions taken for previously reported events. The NRC publishes Incident Summary Reports periodically upon receipt of documentary information from the Federal On-Scene Coordinator.
| NRC Case #: | 027-97 |
|---|---|
| INSUM #: | Sitrep One and Final |
| Occurence Date: | 1 August, 1997 |
| Location: | Pilottown, LA |
| Source: | Storage Tank |
| Material: | Oil; Crude |
| Severity: | Potential Major - Medium Probability |
| Quantity Discharged: | None |
| Quantity in Water: | None |
| Body of Water Affected: | Mississippi River |
| Federal On-Scene Coordinator: | MSO New Orleans, LA |
SITUATION: On August 1, 1997, the potential for a major crude oil spill occurred when a storage tank at Texaco's Pilottown Terminal was struck by lightening and caught fire. The seal on the floating tank top burned around the perimeter. The tank contained 4,746,000 gallons of light crude oil. No pollution was reported as a result of the fire. The terminal is located 10 miles south of Venice, LA along the lower Mississippi river mile 02 left descending bank. The fire was extinguished by William's Firefighting. There were no injuries reported.