Fire erupts at Maryland quarry; black smoke fills sky over Rockville
Massive oil tank fire extinguished at Rockville quarry
A large oil tank fire at a Rockville quarry is finally out. It had been burning since 11:30 Thursday morning at an asphalt plant on Piney Meeting House Road. Several large metal oil containers caught fire, sending plumes of smoke into the sky that could be seen for miles.
ROCKVILLE, Md. - Black smoke and flames filled the sky over the Potomac and Rockville areas of Montgomery County after a large oil tank fire erupted at a Maryland asphalt company on Thursday.
The fire was reported at the F.O. Day Bituminous Company on Piney Meetinghouse Road around 11:30 a.m.
Hazmat units responded as the thick smoke billowed into the sky from several large metal oil containers situated on the property. The plume of smoke could be seen for miles around.
On its website, the company says it produces paving materials and performs numerous construction services, including excavation and underground utility installation. The company began in Maryland in 1944.
Montgomery County's Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security is urging all residents in the Travilah area to limit time outdoors, consider closing windows, and wear a mask to limit risk to people with respiratory illnesses. The smoke may cause unhealthy levels of air quality, the agency says.
Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service Spokesperson Pete Piringer shared via X around 3:50 p.m. that additional firefighting resources and fresh crews will be brought in to assist HazMat. So far, no evacuations have been necessary.