Third death in UK power plant blast

Police on duty at the eight-year-old plant

LONDON, England -- A third person has died following Wednesday's explosion at a power station in northeastern England.

Two people died in the blast at the gas-fired Teesside Power Station. A fourth employee remains in the nearby Middlesbrough General Hospital, where he is in a "stable" condition.

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

Safety inspectors are to begin investigating the cause of the blast.

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

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

An Enron spokeswoman, quoted by the Press Association, said on Thursday: "Our priority is to offer all possible support to the families of these employees and a support team has spent some time with them.

"Any help and assistance which can be given will continue to be offered over the coming days and weeks.

"This tragic incident has shocked and saddened everyone within the company and steps are being taken to support friends and colleagues at the plant and associated sites across Teesside."

The plant -- which employs about 100 people -- remains off-line pending a decision regarding its future operation.