An oil well fire southwest of Bridgeport that kept six fire departments busy for much of Sunday is still under investigation. Bridgeport Assistant Fire Chief Oscar Robertson says Dalton, Bayard, Broadwater, Gering and the Airport fire departments were called to assist in putting out the fire, which involved an estimated 7,000 gallons of crude. Robertson says foam from five of the six departments and water from a nearby irrigation canal was used to put out the fire. It was called in shortly before nine a.m. and was not extinguished until four hours later.

Airport fire department members used heat resistant clothing to get close enough to shut a valve off that was leaking. Robertson says some bunker gear used by Gering and the Airport will need to be replaced because it was contaminated by oil. Gering will also need to replace 100 feet of hose.