2006 — Jan 2, Lightning ignites gas/Explosion at Sago Coal Mine, Tallmansville, WV– 12
— 12 Badger, Stephen G. Catastrophic Multiple-Death Fires for 2006. NFPA, Sep 2007, p. 4.
— 12 MSHA. Report of Investigation…Coal Mine Explosion…Sago Mine…, May 9, 2007.
— 12 NFPA. “NFPA Releases Lightning Fires and Lightning Strikes Report, Mar/Apr 2008, 20.
Narrative Information
Badger: “The largest loss-of-life incident in this category [nonresidential] was an explosion that killed 12 coal miners. Lightning struck a cable a distance from the coal mine, followed it in, and caused a methane explosion. There was no detection or suppression equipment in place in the mine. One miner was killed in the explosion. Twelve others survived the explosion and sought refuge behind a barricade curtain they built to keep out the deadly fumes. Approximately 41 hours after the explosion, rescuers located one survivor and the bodies of the other eleven miners two miles (3.2 kilometers) into the mine.” (Badger, Stephen G. Catastrophic Multiple-Death Fires for 2006 (NFPA No. MDS06). Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, Sep 2007, p. 4.)
MSHA: “On January 2, 2006, an explosion occurred at approximately 6:26 a.m. in Wolf Run Mining Company’s Sago Mine. At the time of the explosion, 29 miners were underground. Twelve miners lost their lives, and one was seriously injured. The explosion occurred in by the 2 North Mains seals, and destroyed all ten of the seals used to separate the area from the active portion of the mine. The weather conditions at the mine were unseasonably warm with the temperature near 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F). A storm, accompanied by heavy rain, thunder and lightning, was in the area. Before entering the mine, some Sago miners saw lightning strikes near the property.
“A preshift examination of the mine had been conducted. One mine examiner remained underground. The 2nd Left Parallel crew and another miner entered the mine at about 6:00 a.m. The 1st Left crew and three other miners entered the mine shortly thereafter. The 2nd Left Parallel crew arrived on their working section, and the 1st Left mantrip arrived at the 1st Left switch. Shortly thereafter, an explosion occurred.
“One miner died of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning shortly after the explosion. The 2nd Left Parallel miners’ attempt to evacuate was unsuccessful, and they barricaded themselves on the 2nd Left Parallel section. All other miners eventually evacuated the mine.
“Mine management officials entered the mine in an attempt to assess the situation. The 1st Left Foreman remained underground and eventually joined this group. They found that the explosion damaged ventilation controls. In an effort to reach the missing miners, they attempted to restore ventilation, using temporary ventilation controls. They were unable to clear the smoke and gases, and eventually ended their rescue attempt and evacuated the mine.
“Federal and state agencies responded to the accident. Mine rescue teams were organized, a command center was established, and a rescue effort was initiated. Entry into the mine was delayed because of elevated levels of CO and methane. Preparations were started to drill a borehole into the 2nd Left Parallel section for sampling and communications purposes. Rescue teams entered the mine after the concentration of gases stabilized. They found the first victim on January 3, near the 2nd Left Parallel track switch. Later that evening, rescue teams advanced into the 2nd Left Parallel section where twelve miners were found behind a barricade. One miner was found alive. He was rescued and transported to a hospital. On January 4, the 12 victims were recovered from the mine….
“Investigators determined that methane began to accumulate within an area which had previously been mined and then sealed with 40 inch thick Omega block seals. The explosion occurred within the sealed area and destroyed the seals. This caused portions of the mine to fill with toxic levels of CO. At MSHA’s request, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a full-scale testing program designed to determine the strength of the Omega block seals and to gather information about explosions in sealed areas. The mine operator failed to build the seals in accordance with the approved plan. However, the testing showed that the seals, as built at the mine, would likely have withstood pressures of 20 pounds per square inch (psi), as required by regulation. The explosion in the mine is believed to have generated pressures in excess of 93 psi. The discrepancies between the actual seal construction and the approved plan, as well as all other non-contributory conditions observed during the investigation, were cited under a separate inspection activity.” (Mine Safety and Health Administration, “Report of Investigation…Sago Mine…,” May 9, 2007)
NFPA: “The deadliest U.S. fire started by lightning in recent years was the January 2006 West Virginia coal mine explosion that claimed 12 lives. The incident occurred approximately 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) in from the mine entrance, when methane gas was ignited by a lightning strike that occurred a distance from the mine and followed a cable into the mine. The explosion killed one miner, and a collapse forced 12 other miners to retreat and await rescue behind a barricade curtain they built. Rescuers located one survivor and the bodies of the other ‘11 miners approximately 41 hours after the explosion..” (NFPA. Mar/Apr 2008, 20.)
Sources
Badger, Stephen G. Catastrophic Multiple-Death Fires for 2006 (NFPA No. MDS06). Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, Fire Analysis and Research Division, Sep 2007. Accessed 7-8-2013: http://www.nfpa.org/~/media/files/research/nfpa%20reports/overall%20fire%20statistics/catastrophic2006.ashx
Mine Safety and Health Administration. Report of Investigation, Fatal Underground Coal Mine Explosion, January 2, 2006, Sago Mine, Wolf Run Mining Company, Tallmansville, Upshur County, West Virginia, ID No. 46-08791. Arlington, VA: MSHA, United States Department of Labor, May 9, 2007, 198 pages. Accessed at: http://www.msha.gov/Fatals/2006/Sago/sagoreport.asp
National Fire Protection Association. “NFPA Releases Lightning Fires and Lightning Strikes Report,” NFPA Journal. Vol. 102, Is. 2, Mar/Apr 2008, p. 20. Accessed at: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=6&did=1454594071&SrchMode=1&sid=5&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1237904136&clientId=72813