UPDATE: ANTERO WAITS FOR DEADLINE EXPLAINING CAUSE OF DODDRIDGE EXPLOSION - Two Workers Have Died, Three Others Seriously Injured

(08/02/2013)
A report presented to WV-DEP Wednesday by Antero Resources regarding a Doddridge Co. drilling explosion that killed two and injured three other workers on July 7 has been called incomplete by the agency.

The DEP has issued a follow-up Cease Operations order, saying the report the company filed is insufficient.

The order was issued, in part, because the report was unclear regarding findings about any release of pollutants.

"This report shall include all information that was used by Antero to come to such conclusion and how Antero made this final determination as to the cause of the incident," the order states.

Continued drilling remains on hold.

ORIGINAL STORY - The WV Department of Environmental Protection ordered Antero Resources to submit a report regarding the cause of a Doddridge Co. drilling explosion by July 31.

Two of five workers have died from the explosion and fire on July 7.

DEP spokeswoman Kathy Cosco said Antero had been ordered to give an explanation of the the explosion, but it hadn't been received as of July 30.

Tommy Paxton, 45, of Walton and Jason Mearns, 37, of Beverly died in the West Penn Burn Center.