Another Mine Fire
The rash of mine fires continued this weekend with a mine fire in Canada (from the Washington Post).
ESTERHAZY, Saskatchewan -- Rescuers retrieved 67 western Canadian potash miners who had been trapped underground by a fire, but several more miners were still in subterranean emergency chambers Monday waiting for help.Seventy-two miners were trapped early Sunday when a fire started in polyethylene piping more than a half-mile underground.
When toxic smoke began to fill the tunnels, the miners retreated to so-called refuge stations _ spacious chambers that can be sealed off and are equipped with supplies of oxygen, food and water.
At least this one has a happy ending. The remaining miners will be brought to the surface later today.
Fighting a fire underground would be tricky to say the least. I don't know a thing about it but I'm guessing that there is all kinds of specialized equipment that is necessary. Air supply must be a huge factor.
Here is the NIOSH page on mine fires for a little background reading.
