UPDATE: Plant Fire At Port Of Catoosa

NewsOn6.com

CATOOSA, OK -- Fire crews from Tulsa and Catoosa battled a fire Friday night at a Port of Catoosa plant, Safety Kleen. Work at the scene continued after flames were extinguished.

Tulsa Fire Captain Michael Baker says after the ruptured natural gas line was shut off to the building, firefighters were able to rapidly extinguish the remaining building fire and begin evaluating the extent of the damage.

Safety Kleen processes used petrochemicals. Tulsa Fire Department crews immediately began limiting the environmental impact to the area waterways. They say there was an unknown amount of petroleum product that entered areas that drain in to the Verdigris River.

Crews say they were able to place absorption material on the water and prevent extensive contamination. Some products entered the river, however Captain Baker says absorbing buoys in the water contained any spread outside the port.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Safety Kleen representatives say the fire was in an area that housed an oil heating unit used in the companies processes. The unit is supplied with a natural gas line.

Initial damage estimates place the loss at close to $500,000.

One firefighter received minor injuries after the incident when a hose coupling struck their leg. No hospital care was required.