Elliot Olsen is a nationally respected fire and explosion lawyer who has regained millions for clients. If you or a family member were injured in these Wyoming oilfield explosions, you should call Elliot at (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation. He understands the pain and suffering experienced after such an event, and he can help survivors on the road to recovery.
Three contract workers sustained severe burn injuries Thursday night when an oil and gas site in southeast Wyoming experienced multiple explosions and fires.
The three contractors sustained their injuries when an oilfield compressor station exploded west of Carpenter, according to Laramie County Fire District No. 4. Carpenter is southeast of Cheyenne, near the border with Colorado.
One of the injured workers was airlifted to Western States Burn Center in Greeley, Colorado, according to Laramie County Fire District No. 4 fire chief Scott Maddison. The two other injured contractors were taken first by ambulance to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and then transported to Greeley. As of Friday afternoon, all three were in stable condition and able to speak to their families.
“Those guys have a long road ahead,” Maddison said.
Laramie County Fire District No. 5 also posted about the explosion. It indicated it sent an engine, tender, command unit, and six firefighters to the site.
Wyoming oilfield explosions:
Natural gas leak suspected
Maddison said Friday that he received a call to respond to the incident at 7:28 p.m. Thursday. The one witness on the scene was a male employee who escaped uninjured. The employee said he heard a “pop, pop” and went to shut off the gas.
“When he turned around, he heard another explosion and it was like a huge fire ball,” Maddison said.
Maddison said he was informed that the fire likely was caused by a natural gas leak.
Wyoming oilfield explosions:
Statement from owners
A spokesperson for EOG Resources, a Houston-based energy company that owns the facility, said in a statement:
“The fire has been extinguished, and we appreciate the fast response of the local safety officials. The incident is under investigation.
“EOG is committed to the safety of our employees, contractors and local communities. Three contractors sustained injuries and are receiving medical treatment. Our thoughts are with them and their families.”
Wyoming oilfield explosions:
Popular area for drilling
Gas and oil companies have drilled dozens of deep wells in a wide area east and south of Cheyenne over the past decade. The oil wells produce substantial volumes of natural gas, which is either burned off or sent to market by pipeline. Compressor facilities keep gas pipelines pressurized.
Wyoming oilfield explosions severely injured three contract workers in Carpenter, southeast of Cheyenne near the border with Colorado.
Cedar High Apartments fire:
Smoke smell lingering
From WCCO-TV News, Minneapolis: A week after a deadly high-rise fire, residents said they are afraid, and they still can smell smoke.
Fire tore through an apartment on the 14th floor of the Cedar High Apartments near downtown Minneapolis the day before Thanksgiving. Five people died. The fire chief called it an accident.
The exterior has been repaired, and residents who live on floors other than 14th are back in their apartments, but there is residual damage in several different ways.
Julekay Olson lives on the 19th floor. She said the smell of smoke is a reminder of who was lost.
“We are able to tolerate it,” Olson said. “We’re able to stand in the hallway, wait for the elevator without having to cover our mouths, cover our noses.”
The five victims were Tyler Baron, 32; Jerome Stewart, 59; Nadifa Mohamud, 67; Maryan Mohamed Mohamud, 69; and Amatalah Adam, 78.Three other people were injured.
Cedar High Apartments fire:
Need for sprinklers on record
Although the MPHA didn’t specifically budget for high-rise sprinklers in a plan approved in September, the document lists their need as a priority.
“… as building codes have evolved, we need to address increased life/safety requirements such as retrofitting our high-rise buildings with sprinkler systems,” the plan states. “MPHA has made infrastructure/building systems a priority and will target these types of improvements with its limited Capital Fund resources until major reinvestment opportunities materialize.”
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