Pittsburg County Gas Well Explosion Injures One

explosion

At least one injury was reported when a Pittsburg County natural gas well exploded early Thursday afternoon, according to The Oklahoman.

The explosion occurred near Quinton, Oklahoma, about 100 miles southeast of Tulsa.

State troopers and the county sheriff’s office were notified around 12:30 p.m. Multiple volunteer fire departments and emergency management crews also converged on the site. Initial reports suggested numerous injuries although the well’s owner, Houston-based Trinity Operating LLC, later confirmed one person was injured and airlifted to a Tulsa hospital for treatment.

Pittsburg County Emergency Management Director Kevin Enlow confirmed the oilfield worker sustained burns on the lower half of his body. The condition of the injured person was not immediately available. Trinity is conducting an investigation to determine the fire’s origin.

Officials believe the man was opening a valve on the well head when the line exploded. Three wells were left burning due to the explosion but have since been extinguished.

The incident briefly closed a portion of State Highway 31 at Holt Road near Quinton but it has since been reopened, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.