The Associated Press
 Photo Tod Parker/Phototac.com Approximately 75 firefighters from Zionsville, Ind., and neighboring departments responded to the blaze, which destroyed the oil distribution company. |
ZIONSVILLE, Ind. — A fire at a family owned oil distribution business created a plume of black smoke visible for miles Sunday as it leveled the central Indiana business.
By Sunday evening, little of Taylor Oil Co. Inc. remained standing except for steel support beams. No injuries were reported.
Authorities were still trying to determine what sparked the afternoon fire at the business, which makes lubricants and motor oil in Zionsville immediately northwest of Indianapolis.
Zionsville Police Capt. Doug Gauthier said a total of about 75 firefighters, including some from neighboring departments, were called to the scene.
Firefighters tried to contain the flames with water and foam before deciding to let it burn itself out because the business had between 5,000 and 6,000 gallons of petroleum inside.
Gauthier said a trench has been dug near the business to help prevent water mixed with hazardous materials from reaching Little Eagle Creek, which is directly behind the business.
The fire created a dense plume of black smoke visible for several miles around.
Brothers Terry Neer and Larry Neer, both 56, walked from their homes on the edge of Zionsville to see the fire after hearing five or six explosions.
“We walked out and you have thought that night had fallen over Zionsville,” Terry Neer said. “That was the biggest shock.”
Taylor Oil, owned by Lloyd Taylor, 89, has been in business for more than 60 years, said Nancy Thayer, 55, Taylor’s daughter.
“Haven’t a clue what’s going to happen (next). Luckily we have strong faith,” she said.