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Please feel free to click on the links below to take you to specific pages on our site. These pages are dedicated to
the coal miners who risk life and limb daily, providing a decent living for their families. Disasters are listed by mine or
community name. If you find any information not listed and would like to submit more, as long as it is factual, please feel
free to email at cybermanweb@wmconnect.com. This page will be updated with previous mine disasters as soon as possible. Thank
you for being patient.
Many mine disasters, especially explosions such as occurred at the Upper Big Branch Mine and the Sago Mine
sites, were the result of methane gas bleeding out from sealed, abandoned workings. Every coal mine will turn either left
or right handed and mine "sections" to the end of their coal boundaries. Once these sections of the mine have been
mined out, all the coal has been removed allowable by law, they can perform "pillar" or "retreat" mining.
This is the practice of moving backwards, mining the large pillars of coal left to support the mountain.
Longwall mining leaves no pillars of coal to support the mountain. The rock is allowed to fall behind the area where the actual
mining is taking place. Once these "sections" of the mine have been completed and no more coal production can be
done in them, the entrances to these "sections" are sealed off. Imagine your home. It has many
rooms that you use on a daily basis. Now imagine that your children have grown up and moved off to college or gotten married
and no longer use their bedrooms. You shut off the heat and a/c supply to these rooms. Close off and seal up the windows and
finally close the door leading to these rooms in your home. Over time, the oxygen inside these rooms become
stagnate, stale and the oxygen content drops below the level needed to support life. Now imagine that a small leak of natural
or propane gas seeps into these rooms inside your home. The gas level rises and begins seeping out of any crack it can find,
drifting into the hallway of your home. One small insignificant ignition source, ie: fireplace pilot light, cook stove or
even static electricity, ignites the gas that has seeped into your home. The result is a gas ignition that leads back through
the cracks in the bedroom doors. This fire hits the main supply of gas built up inside the bedrooms and a massive explosion
occurs. This is basically what happens in many mine explosions. These abandoned, worked out sections of
the mine that has been sealed off accumulates deadly mixtures of gasses. By natural pressure or faulty construction of seals,
this gas enters the main workings of the mine. Any small ignition source will set off a chain reaction causing a massive and
deadly explosion.
Below are a list of fatal accidents in the state of West Virginia. The date of the accident, company name,
mine name, location, cause of fatality and number killed.
|
Date of accident
|
Company name
|
Mine name
|
Location
|
Cause of fatality
|
Number killed
|
|
Jan. 21, 1886
|
Orrel Coal Company
|
Mt. Brook
|
Newburg
|
Explosion
|
39
|
|
Nov. 20, 1894
|
Blanch Coal Co.
|
Blanch Standard
|
|
Explosion
|
8
|
|
Mar. 06, 1900
|
Red Ash Coal Company
|
Red Ash
|
Red Ash
|
Explosion
|
46
|
|
Nov. 02, 1900
|
Southern Coal & Transportation
|
Berryburg
|
Berryburg
|
Powder Explosion
|
15
|
|
May 15, 1901
|
George's Creek Coal & Iron
|
Chattam
|
Farmington
|
Explosion
|
10
|
|
Sept. 15, 1902
|
Algoma Coal & Coke
|
Algoma #7
|
Algoma
|
Explosion
|
17
|
|
Sept. 22, 1902
|
New Central Coal Co.
|
Stafford
|
Stafford
|
Explosion
|
6
|
|
Feb. 26, 1905
|
Grapevine Coal Co.
|
Grapevine
|
Wilcoe
|
Explosion
|
7
|
|
Mar. 19, 1905
|
New River Smokeless Coal Co.
|
Rush Run/ Red Ash
|
Red Ash
|
Explosion
|
24
|
|
Apr. 20, 1905
|
Cabin Creek Mining Co.
|
Cabin Creek
|
Kayford
|
Powder Explosion
|
6
|
|
Jul. 05, 1905
|
Tidewater Coal & Coke Co.
|
Tidewater
|
Vivian
|
Explosion
|
5
|
|
Dec. 04, 1905
|
Cardiff Coal Co.
|
Horton
|
Cabin Creek
|
Mine Fire
|
7
|
|
Jan. 04, 1906
|
Coaldale Coal & Coke Co.
|
Coaldale
|
Coaldale
|
Explosion
|
22
|
|
Jan. 18, 1906
|
Detroit & Kanawha Coal Co.
|
Detroit
|
Paint Creek
|
Explosion
|
18
|
|
Feb. 08, 1906
|
Stuart Colliery Co.
|
Parral
|
Parral
|
Explosion
|
23
|
|
Mar. 22, 1906
|
Century Coal Co.
|
Century
|
Century
|
Explosion
|
23
|
|
Dec. 14, 1906
|
Pulaski Iron Co.
|
Pulaski
|
Eckman
|
Powder Explosion
|
6
|
|
Jan. 26, 1907
|
Lorentz Coal Co.
|
Lorentz
|
Penco
|
Powder Explosion
|
12
|
|
Jan. 29, 1907
|
Stuart Colliery Co.
|
Stuart
|
Stuart
|
Explosion
|
85
|
|
Feb. 04, 1907
|
Davis Coal & Coke
|
Thomas
|
Thomas
|
Explosion
|
25
|
|
May 01, 1907
|
White Oak Fuel Co.
|
Whipple
|
Scarbro
|
Explosion
|
46
|
|
Dec. 06, 1907
|
Fairmont Coal Co.
|
Monogah 6 & 8
|
Monongah
|
Explosion
|
361
|
|
Jan. 30, 1908
|
New River Valley Coal Co.
|
Bachman
|
Hawksnest
|
Explosion
|
9
|
|
Dec. 29, m1908
|
Pocohontas Colleries Co.
|
Lick Branch
|
Switchback
|
Explosion
|
50
|
|
Jan. 12, 1909
|
Pocohontas Colleires Co.
|
Lickbranch
|
Switchback
|
Explosion
|
67
|
|
Mar. 31, 1909
|
Buery Brothers Coal Co.
|
Echo
|
Buery
|
Powder Explosion
|
16
|
|
Dec.31, 1910
|
Red Jacket Coal & Coke
|
Lick Fork
|
Thacker
|
Haulage
|
10
|
|
Apr. 24, 1911
|
Davis Coal & Coke Co.
|
Ott No. 20
|
Elk Garden
|
Explosion
|
23
|
|
Aug. 01, 1911
|
Standard Pocohontas Fuel Co.
|
Standard
|
Caples
|
Explosion
|
6
|
|
Nov. 18, 1911
|
Bottom Creek Coal & Coke
|
Bottom Creek
|
Vivian
|
Explosion
|
18
|
|
Mar. 26, 1812
|
Jed Coal & Coke Co.
|
Jed
|
Jed
|
Explosion
|
8
|
|
July 11, 1912
|
Ben Franklin Coal Co.
|
Panama
|
Moundsville
|
Explosion
|
8
|
|
Apr. 28, 1914
|
New River Collieries Co.
|
Eccles #5 and #6
|
Eccles
|
Explosion
|
183
|
|
June 30, 1914
|
Sycamore Coal Co.
|
Cinderella
|
Cinderella
|
Suffocation
|
5
|
|
Feb. 6, 1915
|
New River Coal Co.
|
Carlisle
|
Carlisle
|
Explosion
|
22
|
|
Mar. 2, 1915
|
New River and Pocohontas Consol Co.
|
Layland # 3
|
Layland
|
Explosion
|
112
|
|
Mar. 30, 1915
|
Hannah Coal Co.
|
Boomer # 2
|
Boomer
|
Explosion
|
23
|
|
Mar. 28, 1916
|
King Coal Co.
|
King # 28
|
Vivian
|
Explosion
|
10
|
|
Oct. 19, 1916
|
Jamison Coal and Coke Co.
|
Jamison # 7
|
Barrickville
|
Explosion
|
10
|
|
Apr. 18, 1917
|
Hutchinson Coal Co.
|
Lyndon
|
Mason
|
Explosion
|
5
|
|
Dec. 15, 1917
|
Yukon Pocohontas Coal
|
Yukon # 1
|
Susanna
|
Explosion
|
18
|
|
May 20, 1918
|
Millcreek Cannel Mining Co.
|
Villa Mine
|
Charleston
|
Mine Fire
|
13
|
|
Jul. 18, 1918
|
Houston Collieries Co.
|
Carswell
|
Kimball
|
Explosion
|
7
|
|
Aug. 6, 1919
|
New River and Pocohontas Consolidated
|
Weirwood
|
Weirwood
|
Explosion
|
7
|
|
May 20, 1920
|
Mallory Coal Co.
|
Mallory # 3
|
Mallory
|
Roof Fall
|
5
|
|
Sept. 23, 1922
|
Raleigh-Wyoming Coal Co.
|
Glen Rogers # 2
|
Glen Rogers
|
Falling Cage
|
5
|
|
Mar. 2, 1923
|
Weyanoke Coal and Coke Co.
|
Arista
|
Arista
|
Explosion
|
10
|
|
Nov. 6, 1923
|
Raleigh- Wyoming Coal Co.
|
Glen Rogers
|
Beckley
|
Explosion
|
27
|
|
Mar. 28, 1924
|
Yukon Pocohontas Coal Co.
|
Yukon # 2
|
Yukon
|
Explosion
|
24
|
|
Mar. 28, 1924
|
Wheeling Steel Corp.
|
Benwood
|
Benwood
|
Explosion
|
119
|
|
Mar. 17, 1925
|
Bethlehem Mines Corp.
|
Barricksville
|
Barricksville
|
Explosion
|
33
|
|
Jan. 14, 1926
|
Jamison Coal and Coke Co.
|
Jamison # 8
|
Farmingrton
|
Explosion
|
19
|
|
Mar. 8, 1926
|
Crab Orchard Improvement
|
Eccles # 5
|
Eccles
|
Explosion
|
19
|
|
Nov. 15, 1926
|
Glendale Gas Coal Co.
|
Mound Shaft
|
Moundsville
|
Explosion
|
5
|
|
Apr. 30, 1927
|
New England Fuel and Trans.Co.
|
Federal # 3
|
Everittville
|
Explosion
|
97
|
|
May 13, 1927
|
Central Pocohontas Coal Co.
|
Shannon Br. # 3
|
Capels
|
Explosion
|
8
|
|
Apr. 2, 1928
|
Keystone Coal and Coke Co.
|
Keystone # 2
|
Keystone
|
Explosion
|
8
|
|
May 22, 1928
|
Yukon Pocohontas Coal Co.
|
Yukon # 1
|
Yukon
|
Explosion
|
17
|
|
Jun. 20, 1928
|
National Fuel Co.
|
No. 1 Mine
|
National
|
Explosion
|
7
|
|
Oct. 22, 1928
|
McAlpin Coal Co.
|
McAlpin Mine
|
McAlpin
|
Explosion
|
6
|
|
Nov. 30, 1928
|
Princess Pocohontas Coal Corp.
|
Princess Pocohontas
|
Roderfield
|
Explosion
|
6
|
|
Jan. 26, 1929
Jan. 19, 1930
Mar. 26, 1930
Jan. 6, 1931
Nov. 3, 1931
Mar. 12, 1935
Sept. 2, 1936
Mar. 11, 1937
Jan. 10, 1940
Dec. 17, 1940
Jan. 22, 1941
May 12, 1942
May 18, 1942
July 9, 1942
Dec. 15, 1942
Jan, 8, 1943
Nov. 8, 1943
Mar. 25, 1944
Jan. 15, 1946
Aug. 6, 1948
|
Kingston Pocohontas Coal Corp.
Lillybrook Coal Co.
Crown Coal Co.
Raleigh-Wyoming Coal Co.
Island Creek Coal Co.
Bethlehem Mines Corp.
Hutchinson Coal Co.
Hutchinson Coal Co.
Pond Creek Pocohontas Coal Co.
Raleigh Coal and Coke Co.
Koppers Coal Co.
Christopher Coal Co.
Hitchman Coal and Coke Co.
Pursglove Coal Mining Co.
Wyatt Coal Co.
Pursglove Coal Mining Co.
American Rolling Mill Co.
Kathrine Coal Mining Co.
New River and Pocohontas Cons. Coal Co.
New River and Pocohontas Cons. Coal Co.
|
Kingston # 5
No. 1 Mine
Yukon
Glen Rogers # 2
No. 20 Mine
No. 41 Mine
Macbeth
Macbeth
No. 1 Mine
No. 4 Mine
Carswell Mine
Christopher No. 3
Hitchman Mine
Pursglove No. 2 Mine
Lang No. 1
Pursglove No. 15 Mine
Nellis No. 3 Mine
Kathrine No. 4 Mine
Havaco No. 9
Berwind No. 11
|
Kingston
Lillybrook
Arnettsville
Glen Rogers
Whitman
Barrickville
Macbeth
Macbeth
Bartley
Raliegh
Carswell
Osage
Benwood
Pursglove
Lang
Pursglove
Nellis
Lumberport
Havaco
Capels
|
Explosion
Explosion
Explosion
Explosion
Explosion
Fire in Shaft
Explosion
Explosion
Explosion
Explosion
Explosion
Explosion
Explosion
Explosion
Run away trip
Mine Fire
Explosion
Explosion
Explosion
Roof Fall
|
14
8
12
8
5
6
10
18
91
9
6
56
5
20
5
15
11
16
15
6
|
|
Jan. 18, 1951
Oct. 15, 1951
|
Burning Springs Collieries Co.
Trotter Coal Co.
|
Burning Springs
Bunker
|
Kermit
Cassville
|
Gas Explosion
Gas Explosion
|
11
10
|
|
Oct. 31, 1951
Nov. 13, 1954
Feb. 14, 1957
Dec. 9, 1957
Dec. 27, 1957
Feb. 12, 1958
Oct, 27, 1958
Oct. 28, 1958
Mar. 8, 1960
Nov. 9, 1962
Apr. 25, 1963
Sept. 28, 1964
Apr.30, 1965
May 3, 1965
Oct. 16, 1965
July 23, 1966
Sept. 10, 1966
May 6, 1968
Aug. 14, 1968
Nov. 20, 1968
Dec. 12, 1968
June 11, 1971
Jul. 22, 1972
Dec. 16, 1972
Oct. 2, 1974
Oct. 7, 1974
Jun. 5, 1975
Nov. 26, 1975
Nov. 7, 1980
Dec. 3, 1981
Feb. 6, 1986
Mar. 19, 1992
Jan. 22, 2003
Jan. 2, 2006
Jan. 9, 2006
Apr. 5, 2010
|
Truax-Traer Coal Co.
Jamison Coal and Coke Co.
Pocohontas Fuel Co.
Raleigh Wyoming Coal Co.
Pocohontas Fuel Co.
Amherst Coal Co.
Pocohontas Fuel Co.
Ogleby Norton Coal Co.
Island Creek Coal Co.
Island Creek Coal Co.
Clinchfield Coal Co.
Island Creek Coal Co.
Mountaineer Coal Co.
Dorothy Coal Co
Clinchfield Coal Co.
The New River Co.
Valley Camp Coal Co.
Gauley Coal and Coke Co.
Amhearst Coal Co.
Mountaineer Coal Co.
Buffalo Mining Co.
Eastern Associated Coal Corp.
Consolidation Coal Co.
Itmann Coal Co.
Cowin and Company (Contractors)
Monty Brothers Construction
Eastern Associated Coal Co.
Bethleham Mines Corp.
Westmoreland Coal Co.
Elk River Sewel Coal Co.
Consolidation Coal Co.
Consolidation Coal Co.
Central Cambria Drilling Co.
Anker WV Mining Co. Inc.
Aracoma Coal Co.
Massey Energy
|
United No. 1
No. 9 Mine
No. 35 Mine
Glen Rogers No. 2 Mine
No. 31 Mine
Lundale Mine
No. 35 Mine
Burton
No. 22 Mine
No. 28 Mine
Compas No. 2 Mine
No. 6 Mine
Consol No. 9 Mine
No. 1 Mine
Mars No. 2 Mine
Siltix Mine
No. 3 Mine
No. 8 Mine
Lundale No. 1
No. 9 Mine
No 8B Mine
Federal No. 2 Mine
Blacksville Mine
Itmann No. 3 Mine
Mapel Meadow Mine
Bolt Sewel Mine
Harris No. 2 Mine
No. 105 Mine
Ferrell Mine
Stilhouse No. 1 Mine
Loveridge No. 22 Mine
Blacksville No. 1 Mine
McElroy Mine
Sago Mine
Alma No. 1 Mine
Upper Big Branch Mine
|
Wevaco
Farmington
Bishop
Glen Rogers
Amonate
Lundale
Bishop
Craigsville
Holden
Verdunville
Dola
Bartley
Farmington
Garrison
Sardis
Mount Hope
Tridelphia
Hominy Falls
Logan
Farmington
Lyburn
Fairview
Blacksville
Itmann
Fairdale
Bolt
Bald Knob
Century
Uneeda
Bergoo
Fairview
Wana
Graysville
Tallmanville
Melville
Montcoal
|
Dust Explosion
Explosion
Gas Explosion
Mountain Bump
Gas Explosion
Roof Fall
Gas Explosion
Gas Explosion
Mine Fire
Haulage
Gas Explosion
Gas Explosion
Gas Explosion
Roof Fall
Mine Fire
Gas Explosion
Haulage
Mine Inundation
Roof Fall
Explosion
Mine Fire
Roof Fall
Mine Fire
Gas Explosion
Falling Material
Fall in Shaft
Rib Fall
Roof Fall
Gas Explosion
Roof Fall
Coal Stor.Emtrapment
Explosion in Shaft
Explosion in Shaft
Explosion and Entrap.
Conveyor Belt Fire
Gas/ Dust Explosion
|
12
16
37
5
11
6
22
14
18
3
22
3
4
3
7
7
4
4
3
78
3
3
9
5
3
3
3
3
5
3
5
4
3
12
2
29
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