WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BAYOU CORNE - A well drilled to examine a failed salt cavern has penetrated the roof of the deep cavern to begin tests to learn whether its failure caused a huge sinkhole in Assumption Parish.

According to Sonny Cranch, a spokesman for Texas Brine Co. LLC of Houston,the drill broke through about 8 p.m. Saturday. He says tests did not find any pressure from gas or brine.

Cranch says diagnostic tests began almost at once, and officials expected to have some results in two to three days.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources ordered Texas Brine to drill the well after scientists said the sinkhole might have been caused by release of brine from the cavern hollowed out in the Napoleonville Dome - an underground mountain of salt.

News 2's Adrian Pittman will have more on the status of tests at the site tonight at 5 and 6 p.m.