An explosion occurred at a new slope being opened by a contractor for the Westmoreland Coal Company that resulted in the death of five people.

A night shift of four people were at work in the slope about 500 feet from the entrance, taking down loose material from the roof and sides with bars.  The men were doing this work from a box-platform placed in a mine car.

One of the men was up the slope some distance from the others to signal the fifth man at the entrance, who in turn signaled to the engineer when the car was to be moved.

From the evidence given, we believe that a body of gas had accumulated, and was ignited by the lights used by the men on the platform.

The deceased:

• Asher C. Dean, 52
• Thomas Ostovich, 35
• James Poalovich, 47
• Pearl H. Rupert, 21
• Mike Socranitz, 52

Source: Pennsylvania Registers of Mine Accidents, Bituminous (1925-1932)  (7.5 Mb)