Gas well fire could burn for weeks

KETTLE CREEK - A natural gas well fire in Leidy Township is expected to continue burning for at least two to three weeks while experts grapple with a way to control the blaze, a spokesman for Dominion Transmission Inc. said today.

The fire, discovered early Sunday in a very remote area of the township, was "still burning this morning," according to the Clinton County Department of Emergency Services.

"It is contained and isolated," said Dan Donovan, a public relations director for the energy industry giant.

Kettle Creek and Renovo area firefighters were called to the scene about 5:41 a.m. Sunday.

Later, Dominion Gas Co. officials called a Texas fire fighting firm with a strong background in well fires to deal with the emergency.

"The equipment and firefighters have arrived," Donovan said. "As I understand it, they can't get close because there is just too much heat right now. We're keeping everybody at least 75 yards away from the well head as a precaution."

Donovan said the "Wildcats," who arrived Monday from the southern state, decided to build a "chimney" around the fire plume to protect workers from the intense heat so they can move the equipment closer and plug the well.

"Nothing is on fire at this point except the gas and we've taken precautions to ensure that situation continues," Donovan said. No nearby structures were in danger and precautions had been taken to ensure the flames did not spread to the woods, he added.

Kettle Creek area emergency responders were also at the scene for a time but have handed the matter over to the Texas firm, Donovan said.

Dominion is primarily a provider of gas transportation and storage services. The largest of those storage areas is in the Tamarack area of Clinton County. Dominion uses several former natural gas fields in the Tamarack area to store fuel, pumping it in over the warm season in preparation for winter, according to Donovan.