A worker died tragically on Wednesday afternoon, when an explosion triggered a massive fire at a northeast Wyoming oil processing site.
Hazardous Conditions Hindered Firefighting Efforts
Campbell County emergency crews responded to reports of an explosion north of Gillette shortly after 2:00 p.m. on October 31st.
Upon arrival, they discovered that flames had already spread through the site, engulfing 10 large oil tanks, a pair of 1,700-gallon propane tanks, four vehicles, and three structures.
The fast-moving fire also ignited 2-acres of surrounding grass and brush.
Hazardous conditions delayed firefighting efforts by more than an hour. Among other things, authorities feared the burning propane tanks could explode and shower the surrounding area with hot shrapnel.
Fortunately, the tanks remained intact, although they did begin to vent.
Deceased Worker’s Remains Recovered Hours Later
Tisdale Creek Ranch, Inc. owns and operates the oil processing site where the explosion occurred. Based in Gillette, the company provides water hauling and waste water disposal services to the oil and gas industry.
Three employees were on location Wednesday afternoon, including two who escaped injury.
Sadly, however, the third worker – a 36-year-old man from Gillette — died in the blast. Apparently, dangerous conditions delayed recovery of his remains for several hours.
“By the time we got there the place had been fully engulfed,” Campbell County Fire Warden Dale Izatt told the Casper Star-Tribune. “I believe they realized they were missing a person, but it took a while to fight the fire and get in.”
Wyoming OSHA Investigators Deployed to Explosion Scene
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
Personnel from Wyoming’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration division arrived Thursday morning to determine if any workplace safety violations contributed to the deadly blast.
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality will send a spill coordinator to the site next week to assess potential environmental impacts.
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