Two die in UK power station blast

Police on duty at the eight-year-old plant

LONDON, England -- Two people have died and two were seriously injured in an explosion at a power station in northern England.

Safety inspectors are to begin investigating the cause of the blast at the gas-fired Teesside Power Station on Thursday.

A statement released by Enron Teesside Operations confirmed "an explosion and subsequent fire" around 2.45 p.m. (1345GMT) on Wednesday.

Enron confirmed that two people had died in the blast but said it was to early to determine what caused the explosion.

Two men suffered severe burns and have been taken to nearby Middlesbrough General Hospital where one was described as being in a critical condition.

Tim Underdown, chief executive of Enron Power Operations, said the company's chief executive in the US will be flying to Britain following the explosion.

"It is with great sorrow that I can confirm that two of our employees have died and two others have been injured and are in hospital receiving treatment --one with severe injuries -- following today's incident.

"Our immediate concerns are for the families, friends and colleagues of the employees and we have assembled a team to offer all possible support."

Enron, part-owner of the station, says the eight-year-old plant has a large natural gas processing facility.

Police confirmed there was no danger of further explosions at the plant.