State of New Mexico plans to investigate tank battery fire east of Carlsbad

This is a developing story, and more information will be released when in becomes available.

The State of New Mexico planned to investigate a tank battery fire east of Carlsbad, said a spokesperson for the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD).

"The Oil Conservation Division (OCD) was alerted to the fire this (Thursday) morning, and we will look into the incident more once it is deemed safe to do so," said Susan Torres.

Eddy County Fire and Rescue (ECFR) Chief Joshua Mack said no injuries at the scene being managed by nine fire units and 12 firefighters.

The fire was reported around 3:38 a.m. at Burton Flats Road and Magnum Road, per Regional Emergency Dispatch Authority (REDA) call logs.

More: Tank battery fire reported south of Carlsbad Sunday

Eddy County Spokesperson Jeri Strong said fire crews left the scene after noon.

The tank battery fire scene was turned over to an oil and gas operator. Strong did not release the operator's name.

Eddy County Fire and Rescue crews responded to a tank battery east of Carlsbad on March 3, 2023.
Eddy County Fire and Rescue crews responded to a tank battery east of Carlsbad on March 3, 2023.

Mack did not have an apparent cause of the fire as of 9 a.m. Thursday.

The Oil and Gas Glossary.com website defined tank batteries as a group of production of tanks located in a field to store crude oil.

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Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Eddy County fights tank battery fire east of Carlsbad