3 Die In Explosion At Ark. Fuel Storage Facility

"We are going to do a full investigation," he said.

Elizabeth Todd, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said federal investigators left for the explosion site Tuesday afternoon. She had no details about the blast.

The TEPPCO facility stores diesel and unleaded gasoline for clients and has five tanks with a total capacity of holding 250,000 barrels of fuel, Rainey said.

The tank that exploded remained standing Tuesday afternoon, its roof blown off by the force of the blast and its walls crumpled like an aluminum can.

The explosion occurred as a series of thunderstorms rolled through Arkansas. The National Weather Service recorded no instances of lightning in the area at the time of the blast, according to forecaster Chuck Rickard in North Little Rock.

There appeared to be no release of fuel or fumes in the area surrounding the tank after the explosion, said Aaron Sadler, a spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. He said there were no evacuations.

Jessie Honomichl, who lives down the road from the plant, said she heard the explosion's boom across the surrounding farmland. The 89-year-old said she went to the window to look outside at the overcast skies.