Over the past eight hours, more than 48 personnel representing Roanoke County Fire & Rescue, Roanoke County Police, Roanoke Fire-EMS HazMat trained personnel, Marathon Petroleum Company, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and Norfolk Southern have worked to mitigate any risk to the community.
Several businesses and two homes within a half mile radius of the tank were asked to evacuate as a precaution. Marathon Petroleum Co. offered to cover expenses related to these families being relocated for the short time.
Now, Marathon crews will work to determine what caused the initial spark in the tank. This process is considered to be part of their normal procedures and safe for the community.
All Roanoke County Fire & Rescue crews along with assisting agencies demobilized from the scene at approximately 10:15 p.m.