Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Five gas field workers were injured Friday at an Encana drilling site in Pinedale, Wyo., when welding they were working on set off an explosion, authorities said.
The Sublette County Sheriff's Department said one worker was in critical condition, two were in serious condition, one was stable and a fifth was treated and released from a Pinedale clinic.
Doug Hock, a company spokesman, said the explosion occurred near a battery of six condensate tanks. Two of the injured workers were contract welders and the other three were employed by ASAP Construction, the Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune reported.
“This appears to be related to the welding they were doing,” Hock said. “That was the ignition source.”
The sheriff's department said the explosion took place at 10:15 a.m. MST and the fire was put out by 1 p.m. MST.
The cause of the accident will be investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Star-Tribune said.
“This has been a difficult and sad day, and our friends and co-workers that were hurt are in our thoughts and prayers,” Encana spokeswoman Bridget Ford said.
[Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune]
