Fire, explosions rock asphalt plant

A fire with explosions last week that rocked an asphalt plant at Versatile Construction Co. on Tucumcari's north side caused alarm but no injuries.

The fire billowed thick, black smoke high into the air that could be seen for miles around in the region.

According to a news release Thursday from Fire Chief Doug Hogan, the fire was reported at 2:01 p.m. Aug. 18 at Versatile's asphalt plant at 800 W. Maple Ave. Firefighters who arrived two minutes later saw the entire plane engulfed with heavy fire and black smoke.

"Large propane tanks were observed to be heavily involved with fire as well, posing a substantial life hazard," Hogan wrote. "For this reason, fire units were staged away from the fire until the risk was reduced. Additionally, all businesses and residences within 1,000 feet were immediately evacuated."

Hogan stated several fuel and oil tanks that could contain up to 10,000 gallons each were involved in the fire, and one 350-gallon propane tank exploded.

Daniel Zamora, Quay County's emergency management coordinator, said he talked to a sheriff's deputy who told him his squad car shook during an apparent propane-tank explosion. Authorities retreated to a safer distance after that.

Firetrucks then parked along Quay Road AP west of the fire, along with an ambulance, waiting for the fire to die down.

Police blocked roads leading to the area around the fire, including northbound Highway 104 at the Main Street intersection.

Hogan stated that once the fire subsided and the risk of additional explosions was low, crews moved in to extinguish the remaining flames and cool down the metal tanks. He said firefighters remained on the scene until about 8:30 p.m.

Hogan said no injuries were reported. He said the fire's cause remains under investigation.

Quay County Emergency Management texted out alerts, urging residents to avoid the area of Maple and Campbell avenues because of the fire.

Cinda Barber, office manager at Versatile, said during a telephone interview Thursday the fire destroyed the asphalt plant, a nearby control room, a backhoe, a generator and several other items. She said insurance adjusters would look at the damage later that day.

Barber said the fire began near a fuel tank at the asphalt plant.

"Nobody knows what triggered it," she said.

She said few people were in the facility during the fire, as one crew was in Clayton at the time.

Barber said the facility would remain shut down until at least Monday when environmental crews inspect the site and cleanup occurs. She said some diesel fuel had spilled into a nearby ditch.

She said the shutdown at Versatile would put a crimp on its operations. It has contracts with construction work on the Mountain Road project and Mesalands Community College parking lots in Tucumcari, plus other work with the New Mexico Department of Transportation.

Hogan said assistance was provided by Quay County Emergency Management; Quay County's fire marshal; Rural Fire Districts 1, 2 and 4; Logan Fire and EMS; Tucumcari Police Department; Quay County Sheriff's Office; New Mexico State Police; Xcel Energy; and the Tucumcari Water Department.