The clay vein was being cut about 10 a. m., when there was a sudden increase in the flow of gas from the undercut.  The foreman had the open-type machine stopped and backed out from the cut a short distance when the gas ignited.  None of the men were burned, but the feeder continued to burn.

Attempts to put out the fire with permissible explosives and wet clothes and water failed.  After several hours brick seals were started.

At 3:55 p.m., an explosion killed 20 men working on the sealing job, including 7 officials.

A second explosion took place during recovery operations about 8 hours later.  No one was injured, but it was decided to seal off the entire section, in which 17 bodies remained.  Apparatus was used extensively.

The first explosion was propagated by coal dust but was localized by rock dust.  The seals were opened and the bodies recovered 10 days later.

Source:
	Historical Summary of Mine Disasters in the United States - Volume I