3 injured in W.Va. methane ignition, gas well fire - WVVA TV Bluefield Beckley WV News, Weather and Sports

3 injured in W.Va. methane ignition, gas well fire

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SYCAMORE, W.Va. (AP) -- Authorities say three people have been injured in a gas well fire at an Antero Resources operation in Harrison County. The flames are out and there's no public danger.

Sgt. Heather Mick of the Harrison County 911 Center says the victims were taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown after the blast around 4 a.m. Friday near Sycamore.

Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Tom Aluise says workers were in the early stages of drilling a Marcellus shale gas well. As they withdrew the drill, a spark ignited methane gas, creating a fireball and a fire on the rig floor.

It happened at Antero's Cottrill No. 3 well.

Colorado-based Antero didn't immediately return a message.

Aluise says Antero voluntarily shut down the site. An investigation is under way.

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