Flames shot 400 feet in the air in Louisiana's Caillou Island field in Timbalier Bay, as the Union Oil Company of California well No. 23, on State Lease 2986 spews gas, oil, salt water, and mud. A flash fire Saturday night killed one man. Two others are missing and presumed dead, and five other persons are hospitalized on Houma. The well blew out of control Friday night and caught fire Saturday night. The Gracey-Hellums drilling rig straddles the fire. The derrick has toppled at one end, while the crew quarters at the other end of the barge (at the right of picture) are high above the water. Steam from the fire is seen in the foreground, and an oil slick is in the background on the water. Five persons being treated Sunday for burns sustained in the Timbalier Bay gas well explosion in which one man was killed and two others are missing.

Photo is dated 1959.

Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches.