GRAND CANE, La. (AP) — Fifteen families evacuated after a deadly natural gas well blowout in DeSoto Parish will be allowed back in their homes on Friday.
Authorities said Chesapeake Energy Corp. crews regained control of the well at about 5:40 p.m. Thursday.
The Sumner 25H-1 well, located about three miles east of Grand Cane, blew Wednesday morning during a routine maintenance procedure.
The accident killed James Dennis, 58, of Bullard, Texas, and critically injured Jimmy Siler, 30, also of Bullard. Siler is listed in stable condition at LSU Hospital in Shreveport. Both men worked for Dynasty Transportation LLC, of Broussard, a contractor for Chesapeake, which owns the well.
At least two other contract workers received minor injuries, and five DeSoto Fire District No. 8 firefighters were treated after experiencing respiratory problems while rescuing the two men from the accident scene.”
“Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and injured, and we apologize for the inconvenience to those who have been temporarily displaced from their homes,” said Katie McCullin, a spokeswoman for Chesapeake.
McCullin said the evacuees were asked to contact the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office after 8 a.m. Friday for instructions on getting back to their homes.
The company has been providing displaced residents with hotel and living expenses, she said.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
