North Texas

Fire Ignites Multiple Acetylene Gas Tanks at Tyler Welders Supply Lot

No injuries were reported when a fire quickly spread through a welding business in Tyler, Texas, sending several gas tanks exploding into the sky.

A fire ignited tank after tank of acetylene gas at an East Texas welders supply lot, firing tanks and shrapnel high into the air but injuring no one.

The episode began just before 4 p.m. Tuesday at Tyler Welders Supply. Tanks rocketed into the air for about 20 minutes before the explosions subsided.

Smith County Sheriff's Sgt. Darrell Coslin said the fire was being allowed to burn itself out.

Coslin also said that there were 20 to 30 employees at the yard when the fire started, but all got out uninjured.

Traffic was blocked on U.S. 271 and Farm Road 14 and a half-mile in all directions from the yard were evacuated.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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