Old mine gas ignites W.Va. well blast, 7 hurt

MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. (AP) — A state inspector says a crew drilling a gas well through an abandoned coal mine in West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle ignited methane, triggering an explosion that burned seven workers.

Department of Environmental Protection inspector Bill Hendershot says Buckhannon-based Union Drilling had gone about 1,100 feet when something caused the ignition early this morning.

Union referred calls to a Texas office. A phone message wasn’t immediately returned.

Hendershot says Union had drilled through the mine near Moundsville before without incident. Now, flames are shooting at least 70 feet high.

The workers were taken to West Penn Burn Center in Pittsburgh. All are listed in fair condition.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is sending investigators to the site.