A Bullard resident was killed in a natural gas well blowout.

According to Parrish Sheriff’s Lt. Toni Joe Morris, James “Jay” Dennis, 58, of Bullard, was killed when a natural gas well blew at about 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, near the Louisiana DeSoto Parish village of Grand Cane.

Morris said an investigation into the accident continues, and that it has not been determined exactly why there was a blowout. He said Dennis was struck by part of the equipment on the well, and that emergency personnel responded to the scene.

“They were doing a valiant effort to try to save him,” Morris said.

According to Morris, about seven people were on the well performing service work. Several others were injured, including Jimmy Siler, 30, also of Bullard, who was transported in critical condition to LSU Hospital in Shreveport.

Residents in about two dozen homes were initially evacuated, but authorities had to later extend the area because the wind died down and gas was settling in the area, Morris said. The state’s Department of Environmental Quality and state police accompanied residents to test air quality the next day.

Dennis and the service crew were working for Dynasty Transportation LLC of Broussard and a contractor of Chesapeake Energy who owned the well.

Also, several firefighters began experiencing bronchial problems and were transported to local hospitals to be checked out, Morris said.

Dennis and his wife, Barbara, were married for 30 years. He also is survived by two daughters, Jill Dennis and Lauren Dennis, also of Bullard.