Lightning strike blamed for tank fire

A fire that broke out in a fuel tank farm in North Carolina, US on 16 February is thought to have started following a lightning strike.

The blaze set fire to Eco Energy's 40,000 gallon ethanol storage tank located near Paw Creek.

The incident occurred around 4pm and required more than 70 fire fighters to bring it under control using water and foam.

Nobody was injured.

The National Weather Service is yet to confirm there was a lightning strike in the area at the time of the blaze. Another possible cause is a static discharge.