If you saw smoke or heard an explosion on Wednesday morning in Western Grimes County, that was due to lightning striking an oil pad site near Bryan.
According to authorities, that happened around 7:30 am Wednesday, during the line of storms that moves through the area. Crews were called to the large fire near Austin Estates in eastern Brazos County.
Multiple agencies were called out, with the flames proving difficult to extinguish. Bryan fire officials stated that the tank which was hit by the lightning was lifted off the pad, and thrown about 100 feet.
College Station fire said that Bryan fire asked for their reserve airport rescue and firefighting vehicle to help extinguish the flames with the foam it uses.
The fire, and oil, was eventually contained by firefighters, and by 9 am, crews had left the scene, with the blaze fully extinguished.
No one was injured during the lightning strike, or the ensuing explosion and fire.