POWER company Enron last night named the three men killed in an explosion at its North-East power station.

The two who died at the scene were Andrew Sherwood, 36, of Hartlepool, who was an operator technician, and Darren Higgins, 28, also an operator technician, of Normanby, near Middlesbrough.

Both men were single, but Enron said Mr Higgins had a young son living in Poland.

The third victim, who died in hospital yesterday, was Lawrence Paul Surtees, 40, an engineering and maintenance manager. Mr Surtees is divorced with a young daughter.

Operator technician Graeme White, 37, of Billingham, Teesside, is in a stable condition in Middlesbrough General Hospital.

The company said he is separated with a son and daughter.

Officials said yesterday that a contractor may hold the key to what caused the blast. The worker is believed to have witnessed the explosion at the Enron power plant at Wilton, between Redcar and Middlesbrough, on Wednesday afternoon.

The evidence may provide health and safety officials with vital clues as to how the blast occurred.

Yesterday, Jeff Skilling, chief executive of the Enron Corporation in the US, flew in from Houston, Texas.

He said: "It is difficult to express Enron's and my personal shock and anguish at the accident. Enron employees worldwide share the grief of employees on Teesside."

He said the families of the dead and injured were receiving the company's full support.

Tim Underdown, chief executive of Enron on Teesside, said the news of the death of the third man was "a devastating blow to everyone in the company".

He added: "We have now lost three dedicated and popular colleagues, and no words can sum up the sorrow and hurt that we all feel.

"Our prime concern remains with the families and friends of those involved.

"Our support team, in partnership with trained counsellors and experienced emergency services personnel, continues to offer all the help it can.

"We have also arranged a meeting with a few representatives from the local community with whom we talk regularly.

"We can assure the community that there is no further cause for concern."

Last night, Vera Baird, MP for Redcar, demanded a full investigation into the accident and insisted the results were made public.

She said: "People will want to know very quickly what went wrong.

"Work places have got to be safe, and at the time of the explosion that plant wasn't safe.

"The inquiry needs to be open and public.