2 killed in Western Pa. gas well blast

Two people were killed this morning when a natural gas well exploded in Indiana Township, emergency dispatchers said.

Workers had been at a gas well site when the explosion was reported around 9:50 a.m. in a wooded area of the township.

No other injuries were reported.

Reporters were being kept away from the site, where officials said a fire continues to burn. Emergency crews tried to use foam to put out the blaze, but when that failed they began sending tanker trucks to the site.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission said the well is owned by Huntley & Huntley. A company spokeswoman confirmed their workers had arrived on scene but said she had no further information.

Huntley & Huntley Inc. is a privately owned developer of gas based in Monroeville. It has more than 350 gas wells in the greater Pittsburgh area.

In 2008, CNX Gas Corp. reached a five-year agreement with Huntley & Huntley to jointly develop about 26,000 acres in eastern Allegheny County and western Westmoreland County, focusing primarily on natural gas drilling.

Founded in 1912, the company started out as a geologic and engineering consultant but in 1995 began developing its own oil and gas reserves.