Oil well fire in Texas prompts evacuations

A fire broke out at an oil well site near the town of Etoile in the US state of Texas on Tuesday, prompting an emergency response, with all workers safely evacuated and accounted for, local authorities said.

The Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office said deputies and multiple first responders were dispatched to the scene in the 15000 block of FM 226, just north of Etoile, following reports of the blaze.

“Early reports indicate that all workers at the site are accounted for and have been evacuated. First responders are still arriving on the scene to evaluate the totality of the situation,” the office said in a statement.

Authorities also began evacuating residents along Cr. 561 as a precaution, adding that further measures would depend on developments at the scene.