Oilfield explosion kills 1, injures 3 others

From NewsOn6.com

BRISTOW, Okla. -- One person died Wednesday morning after an explosion and fire at a Creek County oil well.

Emergency officials on the scene near Bristow said that oil started gushing from a well that workers were trying to cap. As a result, oil covered everything in the immediate vicinity of the well.

Investigators said a truck back-fired and ignited the oil, causing an explosion and fire with flames that shot up to 60 feet into the air.

Officials said one person who jumped from the derrick died. Another person was taken by medical helicopter to a Tulsa hospital with burns. A third person was taken by ambulance to a Tulsa hospital, also with burns. A fourth person was treated at the scene for minor burns.

Matt Skinner with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission said his agency has an office in Bristow and was the first agency on the scene with investigative authority.

Skinner said the Corporation Commission investigation found no lasting environmental problems and that no issues with equipment were discovered.

Krumme Oil Company owns the lease on the well. Skinner identified the well-plugging company as J & C Well Plugging Service.

Skinner told said that safety issues will be investigated by OSHA with assistance from the Oklahoma Department of Labor.