UPDATE: Here's a picture of the site, from State Police:
Several people have been injured after a natural gas well in a St. Mary Parish oil and gas field ignited Tuesday afternoon.
St. Mary Parish officials confirmed there were serious injuries but no fatalities, and the fire is out. Texas Petroleum Investment Company, which owns the well, said the gas flow at the well has stopped and also confirmed the fire is out.
Texas Petroleum Investment Company said contractors working to cap a well in the Belle Isle Field in St. Mary Parish were injured when a spark ignited natural gas. The incident began on Sunday while workers were trying to plug the abandoned well, the company said.
State Police say their hazardous emergency crews are on the way to the location, which is remote. There is no remaining risk to the public, they tell us.
The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources said crews "were attempting to plug a well and it got away from them" on Sunday. The crews called in Wild Well Control to help with the situation, and "something" happened on Tuesday that ignited the gas, LDNF said. According to LDNF, the well's serial number is #112113.
"The workers are receiving medical treatment and crews are on the scene to protect the environment and bring the well under control," the company said.
Acadian Ambulance responded to an incident with four helicopters and five ground units, a spokesperson confirmed. Two patients were transported by air, two by boat to Morgan City.
Four people were sent to burn centers in surrounding areas, and four refused treatment, a spokesperson for Oschner St. Mary said. Our Lady of Lourdes also confirmed they were expecting at least one patient from the incident.
Here's a tweet from Acadian Ambulance:
At 2:56 pm, Acadian received a report of a well fire. We sent 4 helicopters and 5 ground units to Morgan City (LA). We transported two patients by air (1 to NOLA and 1 to Lafayette area) and 2 patients by ground (both to NOLA)
— Acadian Ambulance (@AcadianNews) May 25, 2021
Here is an earlier tweet from Acadian:
KATC is working on gathering more information; we'll update this story with any updates.
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