OIL WELL EXPLOSION IN BURLESON CO.

  

Investigation is underway into an oil well explosion Friday night in Burleson County.

The explosion occurred around 7 p.m. on County Road 403 off of Park Road 57, near Lake Somerville.

Burleson County Emergency Management Coordinator Duane Strange said debris from the explosion landed in the middle of Park Road 57.  According to DPS Sergeant Justin Ruiz, a 2018 Ford F-150 struck the debris and went airborne.

The driver of the truck, 68-year-old Mary Cone of Somerville, was flown to St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan.  She is said to be in stable condition.

A passenger in the truck, 76-year-old Michael Cone of Somerville, was uninjured.

Fire crews arrived on scene and quickly extinguished the fires on the oil pad.  A HAZMAT team from the College Station Fire Department was called to the scene as a precaution.

The well is owned by Chesapeake Energy.  Chesapeake spokesperson Gordon Pennoyer said the site is contained, and the incident is currently under investigation.  The cause of the explosion has not been determined.

Responding agencies included the Burleson County Office of Emergency Management; Burleson County Sheriff’s Office; Texas Parks and Wildlife; Birch Creek, Somerville and Deanville Volunteer Fire Departments; the College Station Fire Department HAZMAT team; and St. Joseph EMS.