Cause of Explosion:  The real cause of the explosion is not known but it is thought that the air pipe had been moved so that it did not blow air to the roof at the face of the breast causing gas to collect.  When the shot was fired, it caused some of the shale coal to fall from the ribs close to the roof, bringing the gas down with it and carrying it down the chute which is the return air-course.

See also:	Kaska William Colliery Hoisting Disaster, May 9, 1889
	Kaska William Colliery Inundation, May 26, 1898

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Explosion of Gas is Fatal to Four Workers
Titusville Herald, Pennsylvania
February 22, 1923

Pottsville, Feb. 21. (AP) -- Four men were killed and three badly burned by an explosion of gas at the Kaska William Colliery operated by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company east of this city today.

There were but seven men in the tunnel at the time.  Four met instant death, one is not expected to recover, while the other two are in a serious condition.  The explosion occurred in a rock tunnel not directly connected with the mine where scores of coal miners were employed.

The dead are:

• Victor Lessau, New Philadelphia
• Marvin Collier, Tuscarora
• Michael Broatas, New Philadelphia
• Anthony Yakabonis, Port Carbon

Anthony Balzner of New Philadelphia was so badly burned that he is not expected to recover.