Birmingham, AL (near) Coal Mine Explosion, July 1948

AT LEAST 3 KILLED IN ALABAMA MINE.

Birmingham, Ala., July 30. -- (AP) -- Rescue workers in the depths of Edgewater mine reported tonight finding two more bodies in an area ripped this morning by a gas explosion. The toll thus reached three dead and 12 injured, two critically.
A company spokesman said two to four miners were still missing in the big coal mine operated by the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Co.
The blast was in the deepest section of the mine, approximately four miles from the shaft entrance and 300 feet underground.
Miners at the scene said earlier that possibly from 12 to 30 men were believed trapped. But as the day progressed, mine officials checked each of the 300 employed on the morning shift until they had narrowed the missing down to a handful.

Charleston Gazette West Virginia 1948-07-31

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SEVEN ARE KILLED IN ALABAMA MINE BLAST.

Birmingham, Ala., July 30. (AP) -- A gas explosion that ripped through a remote section of the big Edgewater coal mine near here early today killed seven miners and injured 12, two of them critically.
The dead were listed as SIMON PENTZ, 61 year old assistant mine foreman; JOHN STARNES, 62, ventilation inspector; ALVIN KENNETH McGAHN, 25; WILLIAM GREGG, 38; EDDIE JONES, 18; SAND GARY, 43, and JAMES JORDAN, 33. The last four are negroes.
A company spokesman said two or three miners were still missing.

Morning Avalanche Lubbock Texas 1948-07-31

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NINTH MINER DIES AFTER EXPLOSION.

TEN OTHERS INJURED IN ALABAMA BLAST.

Birmingham, Ala., July 31 (AP) -- The ninth victim of a gas explosion in the big Edgewater coal mine died today. Three others were injured two critically.
Rescue crews brought out five bodies Friday night after fighting their way through debris to the blast scene about four miles from the mine entrance and 300 feet underground.
The first body was brought to the surface about noon Friday. Two more died in the hospital Friday night and another early this morning. The ninth man ERNEST FRANKS, 28, succumbed in a local hospital late today.
The dead included SIMEN PENTZ, 61, assistant mine foreman and JOHN STARNES, 62, a ventilation inspector.
A company spokesman said a pocket of gas apparently was set off near the junction of a new ventilation shaft with an old areaway. Cause of Friday's explosion was not determined.
About 50 men were working in the vicinity. Most escaped through an air shaft and others trapped by gas, were brought to safety by rescue workers.
The big Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Company mine is located nine miles west of Birmingham.

Portland Sunday Telegram and Press Herald Maine 1948-08-01
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!