THREE MEN INJURED AT RITCHIE WELL ACCIDENT NEAR WIRT LINE

(08/15/2008)
Three men received injuries in what was reported to be an explosion or flash fire at a well site about 3 p.m. Thursday in Ritchie County, not far from the Wirt County line.

The well operator was reported to be Millenium Energy.

Firefighters say workers were doing some work on the well head and after oil started flowing, there was some kind of explosion, the workers thrown back.

Emergency workers say someone on an ATV brought out three victims, one man had burns to his arms, two others said they had leg injuries.

Ambulances from Ritchie and Wirt responded to the scene, transporting the injured men to a Parkersburg hospital, the severity of their injuries unknown.

The Harrisville and Elizabeth-Wirt fire departments responded to the call just off Rt. 53 near the intersection of Rt. 47.

The Elizabeth-Wirt VFD responded with four trucks and 11 firemen, but did not reach the site in a remote area called Bear Run, being advised the fire was out.