An explosion at a natural gas or oil well site in Etoile, Texas, about 140 miles northeast of Houston, set off a large fire that was seen for miles and led to some evacuations on Monday, according to authorities. No injuries were reported.
The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office received numerous calls late Monday regarding a loud explosion in the small, rural community of Etoile, in eastern Texas, according to the Associated Press (AP) ….
The sheriff’s office reported that the explosion occurred at an oil well site, while the city of Nacogdoches described it as a natural gas well, based on information it received from the Texas Department of Public Safety, according to city spokesperson Kevin Meyer.
Several residents evacuated as a precaution, and others were asked to shelter in place.
Meyer said the fire was still burning early Tuesday, but it was not spreading and was being monitored. “There is currently no danger to local residents from the fire, and air quality in the area is being monitored as well,” Meyer said in a news release. A well control emergency response company is working to suppress the fire, Meyer added.
Drilling company H&P spokesperson Stephanie Higgins said in a statement that the cause of the well blowout is not yet known, adding, “At this time there is no indication of an immediate broader risk, and monitoring is ongoing” ….