Man dies in fuel tank explosion.

TENSAS PARISH — State Fire Marshal deputies have concluded their investigation into the cause of a fuel tank explosion that claimed the life of a dispensing truck operator.

Around 2 p.m. Dec. 29, Tensas Parish Fire Protection District #1 responded to a report of an explosion  located on a property off of Hogue Road in Newellton. Firefighters arrived to find a fuel tank had exploded, killing the operator and burning a passenger truck as well as nearby machinery.

While official identification is pending an autopsy by the Tensas Parish Coroner’s Office, the victim is believed to be a 56-year-old man from Newellton.

Following an assessment of the scene, including reviewing surveillance video, deputies determined the explosion occurred as the victim was fueling a tank on the property that was being used to operate construction equipment needed for a road project.. While the official cause of this fire remains undetermined at this time, SFM investigators are unable to rule out a static electricity ignition of the fuel being dispensed..