ALEXANDER, N.D. -- Five people were injured Tuesday following an oilfield explosion near Alexander, according to a release from the McKenzie County Sheriff's Department.
The release lists the burn victims as Mike Fowler, 54, Frank Laverty, 20, Daniel Smith, 27, Stervon Joseph-Jenoir, 22, and Roger Kansa, 54, who are all employed by Trustlan Oilfield Services in New Town.
Fowler was airlifted to a medical facility, though the release did not indicate where. The injured parties were believed to be removing a cover on an oil fuel tank when a fire was ignited by an electric drill just before 9 a.m., according to the sheriff's department.
Along with the McKenzie County Sheriff's Department, the North Dakota Highway Patrol, Alexander first responders and Fairview and McKenzie ambulance services responded to the scene. The investigation has been turned over to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
