3 Charged in East Texas Oil Tank Explosion

Investigators say a man and two women have been charged with trespassing and criminal mischief after an East Texas oil storage tank exploded.

Van Zandt County fire Marshal Chuck Allen on Thursday announced the arrest of 24-year-old H.R. Price of Mineola, 24-year-old Brandy Wolfe of Grand Saline and 25-year-old Heather Wolfe of Van.

Officials have said two people allegedly were smoking atop an oil storage tank during the Jan. 29 blast near Van, about 75 miles east of Dallas. Both were treated for burns.

The trio turned themselves into authorities Wednesday and are in the process of posting $60,000 bond. The criminal mischief charge is a first degree felony with a bond set at $50,000. The criminal trespass of a critical infrastructure charge is a Class A misdemeanor with bond set at $10,000.

All were no longer in custody Thursday and jail records did not list attorneys for them.

Allen didn't immediately say whether the two women are related or who was on top of the tank.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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