CONSOL Energy says it’s now executing a plan to extinguish a fire that began underground in the Blacksville No. 2 mine near Morgantown
The company said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon that it had identified the general location of the blaze and had put into place “an aggressive plan to contain and extinguish it.”
More than 120 miners were able to escape the burning mine safely Tuesday.
CONSOL says it will use all resources possible to maximize the amount of water it can pump into the area.
MSHA said Wednesday afternoon CONSOL is inducing thousands of gallons of water into a borehole in an attempt to create a water seal and cut off oxygen to the fire.
MSHA also said in a statement:
“There are four additional proposed boreholes at this point, each of which will be between 1,000 and 1,200 feet in depth. When the No. 1 borehole is through, they will drop a camera to see if they can detect the extent of the fire.”
There’s currently no production taking place at the Blacksville No. 2.
