Gas well explosion in W.Va. injures 7 workers

MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. (AP) - Federal safety investigators will be heading to the scene of a gas well explosion that's burned seven workers in West Virginia's Northern Panhandle.

State Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Jimmy Gianato (Ji-NET) says the explosion happened around 1:30 a.m. Monday near Moundsville off U.S. Route 250.

The severity of the workers' burns is unknown.

Pittsburgh-based Chief Oil and Natural Gas operates the well. The company didn't immediately return a telephone call.

Jeff Funke of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration says Chief contracts with other companies to drill, so the injured most likely weren't Chief employees.

Funke says two investigators will soon be sent to the site but can't enter until the well fire is out.