Well site fire near Lake Arthur (photo courtesy Janet Pepper)JULY 27, 2015
LAKE ARTHUR, LA
An evacuation in Vermilion Parish has been lifted, and the well fire in Klondike believed to be caused by lightning is out, according to the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office.
The fire began Sunday afternoon on La. 717, west of Gueydan off of Price and Laurent roads, prompting authorities to evacuate residents within a square mile of the well site.
Officials said the fire was allowed to burn out with proper supervision.
No injuries were reported.
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Fire at Vermilion Parish well site cause for evacuation
STAFF REPORT 6:06 p.m. CDT July 26, 2015
A well site near Gueydan erupted in fire Sunday afternoon — lightning was the possible cause — and authorities evacuated residents living within a mile of the blaze.
Col. Kirk Frith, chief deputy for the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, said the fire began around 3:45 p.m. at a well site off Louisiana Highway 717 west of Gueydan near Lake Arthur.
The Klondike Fire Department, Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office and Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office were first on the scene; State Police Hazmat and the Department of Environmental Quality were also notified.
Frith said evacuated residents included those living in homes on Price and Laurent Road.
Pioneer Energy Services was at the scene working with authorities to get the fire under control, Frith said. The suspected cause of the fire is lightning due to a storm that moved through the area.
Authorities said the fire source may be a tank reservoir on the well site. Firefighters said shortly before 6 p.m. that the fire was contained and would be allowed to burn out under supervision. The evacuation remained under effect.
There were no reported injuries related to the fire, Frith said.