Victims in plant explosion identified

Middletown, Conn. (WTNH) - Police in Middletown have released the names of the men who died in yesterday's power plant explosion.

The deceased are:

Peter Chepulis of Thomaston, CT
Ronald J. Crabb of Colchester, CT
Raymond Dobratz of Old Saybrook, CT
Roy Rushton of Hamilton, Ontario Canada
Chris Walters of Florissant, MO.

The medical examiner will have to conduct autopsies to determine cause of death.

Some of those victims' remains were just removed from the site this afternoon.

The explosion happened around 11:17 a.m. at the Kleen Energy Systems power plant under construction along River Road in Middletown.

Because the power plant was under construction, and employed a variety of contractors each with their own crews, it took some time to determine how many workers were on site at the time of the explosion.

"We revised the number from yesterday to about 100," said Deputy Fire Marshall Al Santostefano.

The Kleen Energy plant was 95% complete, and was expected to open this spring.

Workers were doing a 'blow down' to clear gas from the lines when the explosion occurred. The investigation into the exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation. 

The Middlesex Chapter of the Red Cross set up a toll free, 24-hour hotline for anyone who is concerned about a loved one or who has questions regarding this incident. The number is 860-347-2577. 

A fund has also been set up to help the victims' families:
Families of Kleen Energy Tragedy
c/o MiddConn Federal Credit Union
213 Court Street
Middletown, CT 06457

A Facebook page has also popped up on-line, providing the community an outlet for their grief.