The blast, likely caused by coal dust or natural gas, killed all workers underground at the time and was felt in the nearby town. Mine superintendent Howard Butler saw smoke coming through a ventilation fan at the surface, and took mechanic Joe Richardson down the main slope to investigate.
A devastating blast, likely caused by coal dust or natural gas, occurred underground, killing all workers present. Mine superintendent Howard Butler noticed smoke emerging from a ventilation fan on the surface and sent mechanic Joe Richardson down the main shaft to look into it.