CALGARY - Encana is hoping to extinguish a fire at an out of control well in northwest British Columbia and bring it back under control, company spokespeople said Monday.

The Calgary-based company reported that a blowout during drilling occurred around 5:30 a.m. Saturday at a well site located about 100 kilometres north of Fort Nelson and burned through the weekend.

Company spokeswoman Carol Howes said fire crews are on the scene and have removed most of the damaged equipment from the wellhead in anticipation of tackling the main fire. A small amount of sweet gas was released into the atmosphere and damage was limited to the lease, she added.

No local residents were affected due to the remote location of the drilling. The accident is not believed to be related to a series of vandalism-related incidents at Encana sites in northeast B.C.

Howes said the cause of the accident is currently being investigated by company officials and representatives of the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission.

spolczer@theherald.canwest.com

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