1924 – July 25, Gates No. 1, Coal Mine gas explosion (electric arc), Brownsville, PA  —    10

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-25-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–10  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC. Mining Disasters.

–10  U.S. Bureau of Mines, Dept. of Interior. Report on the Explosion…Gates Mine…July 25…

–10  United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. Gates No. 1.

Narrative Information

U.S. Bureau of Mines, Dept. of Interior. Report on the Explosion…Gates Mine…July 25…:

“An explosion occurred in the Nos. 6 and 7 West Butts section of the Gates Mine at 7:30 P.M., July 25, 1924, resulting in the death of 10 men in the region of the part of the mine to which the violence of the explosion was confined. The explosion originated by the ignition of gas by an electric arc or spark from the ‘nib’ of a machine cable where it was attached to the feed wire. An extensive fall in the ribbed out section forced a body of gas into the nearby live workings and the violent rush of air swayed the machine cable which resulted in the electric arc which ignited the gas. Six of the men were killed by the violence and heat of the explosion, while four succumbed to the afterdamp after having traveled a short distance from the places where they were at work….”

 

United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. Gates No. 1:

 

“The dead are:

  • Albred Kittle
  • Walter L. Covington
  • Rast Hogan
  • Thomas Cosrokinsky
  • Adam Guy
  • John Sacher
  • John Dourel
  • Andy Spurski
  • Mike Sirra
  • John Skolink

“One hundred and twenty men were in the mine at the time of the explosion and all were accounted for except the ten who were killed.  Six of the men killed in the blast were known to be married, with large families.”

Sources

 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Safety and Health Research..  Mining Disasters (Incidents with 5 or more Fatalities). NIOSH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2-26-2013 update. Accessed 3-25-2025 at:

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/NIOSH-Mining/MMWC/MineDisasters/Table

 

United States Bureau of Mines, Department of the Interior. Report on the Explosion in the Gates Mine of the H. C. Frick Coke Company, Gates, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1924. Accessed 3-25-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/gates_1924.pdf

 

United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. “H. C. Frick Coal and Coke Company, Gates No. 1 Mine Explosion, Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1924, No. Killed – 10.” Accessed 3-25-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/gates_1924.htm