Fulton Co., OH (July 17, 2026) – Two well-drilling workers suffered life-threatening injuries in an explosion on Wednesday afternoon, July 15, at a property near County Road 18 and County Road F outside Wauseon.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office received the emergency call at approximately 2:30 p.m. Authorities said a Watson Well Drilling Inc. crew was installing a new water well when the drilling equipment encountered what officials described as a possible natural gas pocket, triggering an explosion.
Two workers were critically injured and transported by air ambulance to hospitals. Two children were inside the nearby house when the blast occurred, but neither was hurt.
Fire crews continued working to extinguish the flames following the explosion. Authorities are expected to investigate the source of the gas and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
We hope both injured workers receive the specialized care needed for recovery.
What Makes Gas Pocket Explosions Difficult to Prevent?
Drilling crews may encounter naturally occurring gases trapped beneath layers of soil and rock. If gas escapes during drilling and reaches an ignition source, it may cause a sudden fire or explosion before workers have time to move away.
These incidents require coordination among firefighters, emergency medical teams, law enforcement officers, and utility or environmental specialists. Crews may need to control flames, test the surrounding air, establish a safety perimeter, and determine whether nearby buildings remain at risk.
Investigators may examine drilling depth, equipment condition, geological records, gas measurements, and the location where the release occurred. Their findings can help establish how the explosion developed and identify precautions needed before work resumes at the property.
