FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 12, 2004) – The underground mine fire that broke out yesterday at Webster County Coal’s Dotiki mine in western Kentucky continues to burn as attempts to extinguish the flames have been unsuccessful.

The Kentucky Division of Mines and Minerals' (KDDM) mine rescue team and the company rescue team were forced to withdraw from the mine at approximately 6 p.m. yesterday as potentially dangerous levels of gasses made it unsafe to continue fighting the fire. After monitoring air readings from the mines officials decided to seal the mine, cutting off oxygen to the fire. The fire is expected to burn itself out.

Crews reentered the mine at 11 p.m. Wednesday and began placing the seals to cut off the fresh air supply to the fire. The final seal was set at 7 a.m. today. The surface area of the mine has been evacuated and will remain evacuated for 72 hours to allow the levels of potentially explosive underground gasses to dissipate. Officials will then enter the mine site to take gas readings and begin accelerating the process of smothering the fire. Holes have been drilled from the surface to the fire area and CO2 or Nitrogen, or possibly both, will be pumped into the mine to displace any oxygen feeding the fire.

KDDM, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration and company officials will meet later today to attempt to reconstruct the events in fighting the fire, to discuss the next steps in containing the fire and the requirements necessary to reopen the mine in the future.

Webster County Coal’s Dotiki mine is one of the largest mines in the state, employing more than 400 people.