Beckley, West Virginia November 6, 1923 No. Killed - 27
(From Bureau of Mines report, by J. W. Paul)
The mine had been producing coal for only 1 year. The 2 shafts were 648 feet deep and were connected, but all ventilation and hoisting were through the airshaft, which was divided by a concrete curtain wall. The mine was gassy, and several nonfatal ignitions had occurred.
There were 64 men in the mine, 25 of whom were killed by force or heat and 2 were drowned by falling into a water-filled excavation near the airshaft where a hopper was to be installed. The other 37 men were not affected and were organized into a recovery crew by the foreman.
Breathing apparatus was at hand but not used. The explosion was ignited by an arc from an electric drill at an entry face where ventilation had been interrupted by a disarranged curtain and an open door. The roadways were wet, but dust added to the intensity of the explosion.
Source:
Historical Summary of Mine Disasters in the United States - Volume I
