An explosion at a natural gas plant in Wyoming has prompted the evacuation of the town of Opal, population 98. Opal is situated roughly five miles from the Williams Gas Plant, which was shut down after an explosion occurred on-site at about 2 p.m. MDT Wednesday.
Williams Gas Plant spokesperson Michele Swaner reported that there were no injuries in the incident, and the Wyoming Department of Transportation confirmed that no one was hurt. Swaner added that all 42 plant workers have been accounted for, and that arrangements are being made to assist evacuees affected by the explosion.
Lincoln County public information officer Stephen Malik said, “Last information we have, there’s still no confirmed reports of any injuries, and we’ve evacuated the town of Opal as a precaution.”
Swaner also stated that the exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation – “It’s a big gas processing plant, it’s huge, and we believe the fire and explosion occurred in our turboexpander … and we have five of them at that facility so the explosion and fire occurred in that area.”
Opal is a town in Lincoln County, Wyoming, United States comprising 38 households and 28 families, as of 2010. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.39 square miles. Males in Opal have a median income of $50,750 versus $0 for females.
How to pronounce “Opal, Wyoming” is explained by an android here:
.@KSLChopper5 has great video of a fire burning at a WY gas plant, tune in to KSL at 6:00 http://t.co/Pv6oRgEkmE pic.twitter.com/aQxjmkaihd
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) April 23, 2014
Report: Explosion hits gas plant near Opal, Wyoming, town evacuated, injuries reported https://t.co/27rFAFYNIG pic.twitter.com/rM8Yw6VVB6
— Jon Passantino (@passantino) April 23, 2014
Photo of the natural gas facility explosion in Opal, Wyoming via @AP. Our full story here: http://t.co/8YUot3uuyg pic.twitter.com/vs1xeGqum1
— Alan Rogers (@alanmrogers) April 24, 2014
Opal evacuees are currently staying at area hotels including Little America and a Best Western.
Image via Facebook
