About 8 a.m. a local explosion near the face of 14 butt heading off 6 face entry killed seven men.  One other was burned but escaped unassisted with the remaining 276 of the shift.  The explosion originated about 40 feet from the face of 14 butt and traveled about 400 feet, also passing through a crosscut into 13 butt, and went about 280 feet from the face, being stopped by rock dust and water.  One of the seven victims was burned; the others were killed by afterdamp.  Some stoppings were blown out but were easily replaced by temporary brattices and the bodies removed after the air was cleared.

The gas, which was ignited by an open-type locomotive, apparently came from cracks in the bottom as the car and locomotive passed.  Similar but light ignitions had occurred before.  In this case coal dust was raised and ignited, adding to the force and flame.

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7 Dead, 1 Injured in Mine Explosion
Morning Herald
Uniontown, Pennsylvania
September 12, 1933

New Kensington, Sept. 11. -- (AP) -- Seven miners were killed and one injured today by an explosion in the Barking Mine of the Hillman Coal and Coke Company.

The dead:

• Mike Stopko, 35
• Joseph Franconi, 22
• Charles Solomon, 47
• Joseph Dubinsky, 33
• Greeley Tusing, 29
• Jacob Miller, 45
• Kondrat Ruben, 41

Joseph Bayer, 23, was brought to a hospital suffering from burns about the hands and face.

The blast was confined to two sections of the mine.  Miners in other parts of the workings were not affected.  United States Bureau of Mines sent a rescue car and equipment to the mine and an investigation is under way to determine the cause of the explosion.

The mine superintendent's office said the workings have been explored and that the casualty list will remain at seven dead and one hurt.

One of the miners who escaped, John Steech, 31, described the scene in the mine.

We entered the mine at 6:30.  I heard two explosions, one at 8:30 and the other 20 minutes later.  I was 200 feet away and started for the scene of the explosion.

The men were lying in mud holes covered with coal.  All were dead.  I helped take the bodies out.

The first blast nearly broke my ear drums.  The second nearly knocked me off my feet but I was not hurt.