09/25/2026 — An explosion and fire occurred Friday morning at an EQT-operated natural gas well pad in Marshall County, West Virginia, triggering a multi-agency emergency response. No injuries were reported.
Explosion Reported at Hines Well Pad
The incident occurred at the Hines well pad on Campbell Hill in Limestone, West Virginia.
Marshall County emergency dispatchers received the initial call at approximately 6:58 a.m. following reports of an explosion involving a condensate storage tank at the site.
Local volunteer fire departments, Marshall County EMS, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and emergency-management personnel responded. The county’s Tank Task Force was also activated.
Condensate Tank Catches Fire
The explosion involved a tank used to store condensate, a liquid hydrocarbon associated with natural gas production.
Condensate can contain highly volatile hydrocarbons capable of producing flammable vapors. Because of those properties, storage tanks and associated piping require careful control of ignition sources, pressure and vapor handling.
Authorities have not yet determined what caused the tank to explode.
Fire Extinguished Within an Hour
Emergency crews brought the resulting fire under control and had it extinguished at approximately 7:45 a.m., less than an hour after the initial emergency call.
Most importantly, no workers or emergency responders were reported injured.
No community evacuation or shelter-in-place order has been reported, and there is currently no indication of an ongoing threat to surrounding residents.
Investigation Into Cause Continues
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
Authorities have not publicly identified an equipment failure, ignition source, pressure-related problem or operational activity responsible for the incident. Until investigators release additional information, any specific explanation for the explosion should be considered preliminary.
The operational status of the Hines well pad following the fire has also not yet been publicly confirmed.
Current Incident Status
Facility: EQT Hines Well Pad
Location: Limestone, Marshall County, West Virginia
Incident: Condensate storage tank explosion and fire
Date: September 25, 2026
Initial Call: Approximately 6:58 a.m.
Fire Extinguished: Approximately 7:45 a.m.
Fatalities: None reported
Injuries: None reported
Evacuation: None reported
Current Emergency Status: Fire extinguished
Facility Operating Status: Not yet confirmed
Cause: Under investigation
Information Status: Confirmed incident; cause remains preliminary