Gas well explosion reported at BAFB; 2 injured

BOSSIER CITY, La. (KSLA) - An explosion of a gas well on Barksdale Air Force Base was reported just before noon on Tuesday, April 19.

Officials with BAFB say it happened at 11:40 a.m. and that Base Emergency Response Personnel, along with Louisiana State Police responded to the situation. The well exploded on the East Reservation of the base.

Two contracted personnel from Energy Transfer LP sustained injuries as a result of the explosion. They were transferred to an area hospital for treatment. Their condition and the extent of their injuries is unknown at this time.

On Thursday, April 21, two days after the incident, energy Transfer LP released the following brief statement:

“We are not commenting on the employees, beyond that we have representatives on site to assist them and their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

“The safety of all those in our community is a top priority,” said Col. Scott Weyermuller, 2d Bomb Wing Base Commander. “The swift response of our emergency management teams and our community partners played a critical role in minimizing the impact to the installation and local area.”

A small fire followed the explosion, impacting around half an acre of land. The base says the incident is unrelated to controlled detonations that occurred on base Tuesday, and construction on I-220.

According to LifeShare Blood Center, family members of Adam Purland say he was one of the workers badly injured in the explosion. The family is asking for the community to donate blood on his behalf. Anyone wishing to donate can make an appointment online here.

Sources close to the victim confirm the other man injured is Clay Moock.

A woman who lives near the Bodcau Gate says she heard the explosion when it happened.

“Kind of shook the ground some. I was in the kitchen when I heard it. It didn’t bother me,” said Mary Tryna.

She says this isn’t the first time she has experienced something like this.

OSHA confirms an investigation into the incident is underway.

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