OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Ohio (AVC News) — A lightning strike is believed to have caused an explosion and fire at an oil well site in Guernsey County Tuesday night, but no injuries or significant environmental impacts were reported.
Fairview Fire and EMS responded around 9:53 p.m. to an initial report of a silo struck by lightning in Oxford Township. Upon arrival, firefighters determined an oil well tank had apparently been struck, causing an explosion that damaged other tanks and ignited a fire on the well pad.
Firefighters established command and a staging area for incoming mutual aid departments but delayed suppression efforts after determining there was no immediate threat to public safety or the environment. Crews waited for company personnel to arrive and safely shut down the site before taking further action.
Once the well pad was secured, officials said the fire quickly began to burn itself out, and the remaining small fires were extinguished by company personnel without the need for an extended firefighting operation.
No workers were at the site when the explosion occurred, and no injuries were reported.
Mutual aid was provided by the Antrim, Old Washington, Quaker City and Barnesville fire departments. Also assisting were the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Guernsey County Emergency Management Agency and Guernsey County 911 dispatchers.
All units cleared the scene shortly after midnight.
Last Updated on July 22, 2026 by AVC News
