3 Injured In Kingfisher Co. Explosion At Saltwater Disposal Well

Three people were injured in an explosion in Kingfisher County, the sheriff's office told News 9.

The explosion happened at a Devon saltwater disposal well about three miles south of Highway 33 and Calumet Road. 

The burn victims were taken to a local hospital.

Devon Energy released the following statement: 

At about 3 p.m. Wednesday, there was ignition and a fire at a Devon saltwater disposal well facility in Kingfisher County, Okla.  Three workers employed by contract firms were taken to local hospitals.

The fire was quickly contained and the site is secure. All other employees have been accounted for and are safe. The cause of the fire is under investigation; Devon is coordinating with its contractors, local authorities and government agencies.

Kingfisher Fire Department’s Lt. Tyler Sigel stated when they arrived on scene, the victims had already been taken to Mercy Hospital in Kingfisher in a personal vehicle.

At least one victim was then flown to Baptist Integris in Oklahoma City, according to Lt. Sigel.

Kingfisher County Sheriff Dennis Banther says his deputies also responded to secure the scene. He said the first deputy on scene reported hearing secondary explosions.

Fire crews said they used roughly 270 gallons of foam on the fires. It took about half an hour to extinguish the fire, Lt. Sigel said.  

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) arrived on scene to mitigate any pollution.

OCC will also look at what happened to see if any of its rules were violated.

There may also be an investigation by The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, since it is a workplace accident.