ABSTRACT
A fire occurred within several crosscuts of the slope bottom of a large underground coal mine located in West Virginia. Direct firefighting activities were abandoned when elevated methane and carbon monoxide concentrations were detected near the fire. Subsequently, the mine was sealed at the surface openings. Water was pumped into the mine through the slope to cool the fire. Sample tubes were installed through the seals at each of the mine openings to monitor the atmosphere in the sealed mine. Figure 1 depicts the general layout of the mine and the locations of the shafts and slope openings. Early in the operation, a Command Center, which included members of mine management, the federal and state mine safety and health organizations, and labor representatives, was established. Formal procedures were followed to approve, direct and oversee the work activities during the operation.
