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.
The explosion, probably triggered by coal dust or natural gas, had a profound impact on the mine, resulting in the loss of life among all workers present. Mine superintendent Howard Butler observed smoke coming from a ventilation system at the surface and dispatched mechanic Joe Richardson down the main slope to investigate.