OIL WELL BLOWOUT IN BURLESON CO. KILLS ONE, INJURES THREE
One person was killed and three others injured Wednesday afternoon, following an oil well blowout in Burleson County.
Fire and law enforcement officials responded around 3:30 p.m. to the fire at a wellsite owned by Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy, located on County Road 127 close to the town of Deanville.
According to Chesapeake Energy spokesman Gordon Pennoyer, one contractor died as a result of the incident, and three others were taken via helicopter to hospitals in Austin and Houston. Officials did not release the name of the contractor killed, or the conditions of the three that received medical transport. The cause of the blast is still being investigated.
According to Pennoyer, oilfield emergency response specialist Boots and Coots was called to the scene, along with other first responders and Chesapeake Energy representatives. The American Red Cross was also onsite, providing rehab to those at the scene.
Responding agencies included law enforcement and fire departments across Burleson County, along with the College Station Fire Department’s hazmat unit.
No evacuations were ordered, but County Road 127 was temporarily closed after the explosion. It has since been reopened to thru traffic, but access to the oil field will be limited as first responders continue their work at the site.
Officials remained on scene overnight to monitor the fire, which was expected to burn through the night. Work began this (Thursday) morning to cap the well.
It’s tough hearing about this sort of tragedy. I’m in offshore O&G, anything can go wrong at a moment’s notice. It’s a dangerous line of work, whether on land or offshore. My heart goes out to the guys and their families.