UPDATE April 24 — Residents are now able to return to Opal because the evacuation order has been rescinded. At last report the fire continues to burn off the available fuel.
UPDATE 8:20 p.m. WilliamsLP Representative George Angerbauer said that the fire is still burning at this time. The plant has been isolated after an emergency shutdown. Angerbauer said that with all of the fuel sources and electrical lines cut off the fire is being allowed to burn its fuel off.
The Sheriff’s office and company operations personnel will work to determine when the plant is safe. No cause of the fire has been determined yet.
Angerbauer said that media requests about the story have been pouring in from all over, “The market is interested in this.”
Salt Lake City News copters have been over the scene.
All thirty employees were accounted for during the evacuation.
Angerbauer said that “We are actively working to accommodate all the (displaced) residents.”
UPDATE 5:05 p.m. WyoRadio has posted a gallery of photos taken by Rachel Anderson of the explosion click here to view them.
UPDATE 4:46 p.m. According to Michele Swaner with WilliamsLP the company believes that fire and explosion occurred in the Opal Plant’s TXP-3 cryogenic processing tower.
UPDATE 4:29 p.m. – According to the management of Little America as evacuees arrive they will be registered and friends and family can call 1-307-875-2400 to see if loved ones are lodged there. Staff said no evacuees have arrived yet but are expected soon.
UPDATE 4:25 p.m. – According to WilliamsLP evacuated residents of Opal are being transported to Little America where they will be lodged.
UPDATE 4:15 p.m. – According to Michele Swaner with WilliamsLP NO INJURIES ARE REPORTED AND EVERYONE IS ACCOUNTED FOR AT PLANT.
UPDATE 3:55 p.m. – A witness to the explosion told SweetwaterNOW that he was 300 yards away from the facility when he heard a loud gas release then all of a sudden the biggest ball of fire went up. He then yelled for co-workers to run for their trucks. They could feel the heat on their faces from the explosion.
UPDATE 3:50 p.m. — WYDOT has closed US 30 and WYO Highway 240. Traffic is being diverted to the port of entry. And Opal residents are being evacuated.
UPDATE 3:40 p.m. — Sweetwater County Emergency Management Director Dave Johnson said that Lincoln County has not asked for outside resources yet.
OPAL — WyoRadio is reporting that there has been a reported explosion at the Williams Gas Plant in Opal. At this time the “Blast Zone” is being evacuated and roads are being closed down as an extra precaution. As more news is provided we will update.
