Oil Wells Explode in Marengo Township, Seven Departments Called

An explosion in central Calhoun County could be heard from a few miles away Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Calhoun County Emergency Network, fire crews responded to the 22000 block of M Drive North in Lee Township just before Noon on a report of two oil wells that had exploded.

Initially Marshall City, Marshall Township, Sheridan Township and Parma Township (from Jackson County) fire departments were all called to assist Marengo Township fire on the scene. Homer and Fredonia township fire crews were then called an hour later as the fire spread to other wells.

Tara Albaugh, a resident south of the explosion, heard the explosion and saw smoke from her home. She also stated that several crews were filling their water tanks at nearby Chapin Lake before heading to the scene.

The Calhoun County Road Commission has also issued a road closure due to the fire.

The Calhoun County Sheriff's Department announced in the afternoon that an oil pumping and storage station had exploded, catching two storage units on the site on fire. No one was injured. The investigation of the incident continues.