PITTSBURG COUNTY, Oklahoma (KFSM) -- Five people missing in a gas well explosion in Pittsburg County, are pressumed dead, according to emergency manager Kevin Enloe.
Emergency management said this matter has shifted from a rescue to a recovery mission.
The fire happened west of Quinton - between Quinton and Featherston. Volunteer firefighters are on the scene.
The explosion happened at about 9 a.m., sending flames shooting 50 feet in the air.
The Pittsburg County sheriff said about two-dozen people were working on the rig when it exploded. Crews accounted for 17 of them, with five still missing.
Enloe said at least three medical helicopters landed at the site.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said firefighters planned to bring nitroglycerin to the site which would apparently be used to try to blow the flames out.
During a press conference, officials said firefighters are not battling the fire on location, but crews are set up around the area to fight any fires that pop up due to flames.
Officials said the fire is containing itself, and firefighters are working around the perimeter to fight those fire.
The rig is owned by Patterson UTI, which is based in Houston. The company is contacting family of the missing.
To read more related to this story, click here.