History Shows Disasters Follow a Familiar Script ; 'Every Law and Every Safety Regulation On the Books Is Written in the Blood of Dead Coal Miners,' Union Man Says

Summary

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The worst mining disaster in Ohio history occurred nearly 80 years ago, but had a familiar story line: tragic deaths and media attention, followed by government safety regulations.

Just before noon on Nov. 5, 1930, sparks ignited methane gas and triggered a horrendous explosion that instantaneously shot smoke and flames through the Sunday Creek Coal Company's Millfield Mine No. 6 near Athens.

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Extract

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History Shows Disasters Follow a Familiar Script ; 'Every Law and Every Safety Regulation On the Books Is Written in the Blood of Dead Coal Miners,' Union Man Says

Timbers, coal and fallen slate blocked off escape routes, while smoke and deadly gases choked underground passages.

All told, 82 men perished.

"There was a terrific noise and a ...

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