NEW TOWN – Fire occurred at an oil and produced water tank battery near New Town on Monday.

The fire took place at 7:30 p.m., according to information from the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources.

The Associated Press reported an explosion caused the 14 tanks to go up in flames and caused an oil and brine spill.

The fire was contained to the tank battery and allowed to let itself burn out. All oil was consumed in the fire. The produced water evaporated or will be removed with a vac truck, according to the information.

The New Town Fire Department and Mountrail County Emergency Management responded to the call.

Slawson Exploration Co. Inc., oil/gas operator, reported the incident to state officials on Tuesday morning.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

– Eloise Ogden