Firefighters contain fuel tank blaze in Malden area

MALDEN, Mo., (KBSI) — A fuel storage tank fire broke out Monday evening off Highway H, prompting a response from the Campbell Fire Department and Malden Fire Department.

The fire involved storage tanks containing more than 10,000 gallons of diesel and gasoline. Several ruptures and small explosions were reported.

Firefighters contained the blaze to the area of origin, and a team was able to shut off the fuel supply to the fire.

“On my way over. I went over J highway. It was glowing in the sky. You could see it for miles,” said Kooyman.

Denton Kooyman a Volunteer Firefighter for Dunklin County says he was coming from Malden when he saw the huge flames like a ball of fire.

He says the Campbell Fire Department was the first to arrive on scene as they were working desperately to get the fire under control. He says a tank full of diesel exploded.

“It was pretty big. And when I pulled up on the scene, there were fire trucks lined up. But you can see the flames over these grain bins behind you. It was going so high,” said Kooyman.

Malden Fire Department got there next as there were over 20 fire personnel on scene with a mission to try and protect the nearby homes and barns.

One homeowner saying his 20-year-old son saw the tank and called police.

Kooyman saying it was intense situation.

“Diesel fuel, for farm equipment and everything else you need, and he was confused on how it would start and stuff, and he just filled them up and it was just, oh, wonder how it started all together. Our game plan was to come and try and shut off a valve on the tank to try and put it out, and because it was just spewing diesel fuel everywhere. they would come up with the game plan. I geared up, put my tank and everything on, and Campbell firefighter geared up to back me up. And once we had another truck here full of water, we set up a hose on us spraying the area and water will keep the flames down on us. And we crawled up in here and shut off the valve,” said Kooyman.

Malden and Campbell Fire Department as well as the owner of the property are still unsure of what caused this fire, but they are still looking into it.

No injuries were reported. The Campbell Fire Department credited the Malden Fire Department for its assistance.