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2 airlifted and another injured in oil site fire in Weld County

Men being treated for various levels of burns
Posted at 4:49 PM, Nov 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-17 01:13:56-05

WELD COUNTY, Colo. – Two people were airlifted to a hospital and another was injured following an oil site fire in Weld County Thursday afternoon.

The fire was reported in the area of Highway 392 and Weld County Road 71 at around 3:30 p.m., according to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office. 

When deputies arrived, they found three workers were injured as a result of the fire. Two men were airlifted and another man was taken by ambulance for treatment “for various levels of burns.” One of the men worked for DCP Midstream and the two others were contractors.

Emergency responders say fire conditions caused a flashover, which is described as a flash of flames and heat.

Deputies described the fire as an industrial accident and say the scene is being turned over to Briggsdale Fire for further investigation.

The well site is owned by PDC Energy while the gas line is operated by DCP Midstream, according to fire officials.

A PDC Energy spokesperson released the following statement:

“We have been made aware that a fire occurred this afternoon while a midstream operator was performing pipeline maintenance work on their equipment. We are working closely with local first responders to assess the situation. The first responders on-site determined that we could safely shut-in nearby wells and we have done so. We have confirmed that all PDC Energy employees are safe and accounted for and we will share more information as it becomes available.”

DCP Midstream released a statement as well:

"Our first priority right now is supporting our employee and family, other employees are there with him at the hospital. We’re also thinking about the other two who were injured and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts."

The map below gives you a general idea of where the oil site fire was located: 

Anyone with information about this accident is asked to call the Weld County Sheriff’s Office at 970-356-4015.