East Texas gas well fire near Etoile expected to burn for days After explosion
Nacogdoches County oil well explosion (Source: Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office)
NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, Texas - A natural gas well fire sparked by an explosion in East Texas earlier this week could continue burning for several days as specialized crews work to bring it under control, local officials said.
Etoile gas well fire update
What we know:
Nacogdoches County Sheriff Jason Bridges said in a video update that the high-pressure well near the Etoile community remains on fire but is being managed by well-control specialists.
Crews from Houston-based Wild Well Control are overseeing efforts and could remain on site for at least a week before the well is fully shut off.
Impact on Nacogdoches County residents, air quality
Nacogdoches County oil well explosion (Source: Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office)
What they're saying:
"The site is still burning, and they want it to burn at this point," Bridges said, explaining that allowing the fire to continue helps manage the release of gas during containment operations.
Authorities said the explosion, reported shortly after 11 p.m. Monday, April 20 sent flames visible for miles, including from the nearby wooden area. Despite initial uncertainty about how many workers were present, officials confirmed no injuries occurred.
Bridges credited a site supervisor with clearing workers from the area before the blast.
"We feel good about the situation right now," Bridges said, adding that authorities remain in close contact with response teams in case conditions change.
East Texas oil well explosion triggers evacuations and road closures
An oil well explosion in Nacogdoches County triggered late-night evacuations and road closures Monday, though officials report no injuries were sustained in the blast.
Local perspective:
Emergency crews from multiple agencies, including local volunteer fire departments, the Nacogdoches Fire Department and the Texas Division of Emergency Management, responded to the scene.
Officials said air quality is being monitored continuously, and no hazardous conditions have been detected.
Investigation into the East Texas well explosion
Nacogdoches County oil well explosion (Source: Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office)
What's next:
The Texas Railroad Commission is expected to investigate the cause of the explosion.
Limited evacuations remain in place near the site, and authorities have urged residents to stay clear of the area as response operations continue.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office.