P.M. BRIEFING : Boots and Coots Sell Off Firm

The famed oil well firefighting team of Asgar (Boots) Hansen and Edward (Coots) Matthews have sold their holdings in one of their companies, executives of the firm said today.

Les and Dwight Williams, co-founders of Boots & Coots Fire and Protective Equipment Inc., said they and six employees have purchased Hansen’s and Matthew’s interest in the company for an undisclosed amount.

Hansen and Matthews were original investors in the Port Neches, Tex., firm, now known as Williams Boots & Coots Fire & Protective Equipment.

Hansen and Matthews still own and operate Boots & Coots Inc., a Houston-based company known for its ability to extinguish and cap runaway oil or gas well fires.

The Port Neches company never was part of Boots & Coots Inc., which is not affected by the sale.