1925 – Aug 3, Dorrance coal mine gas explosion (cigarette match), Wilkes-Barre, PA — 10

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-22-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–10  Mine Safety and Health Admin. Historical Coal Mine Disasters in the Anthracite Region.

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

–10  United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. Dorrance

Naarrative Information

United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States Summary:

“August 3, 1925: Dorrance Colliery, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; 10 Killed (From State and company inspectors’ reports and news accounts)

 

“Two chambers were being driven to the dip, and an electric hoist on the gangway handled the mine cars to and from the faces. The chambers had been advanced 5-crosscut distances from the gangway, and 8 men worked at the faces of the 2 chambers and a crosscut. Haulage was through the second open crosscut from the faces, where a single door was installed. Air entered through the airway and returned through the haulage chamber.

 

“Although methane was known to be liberated freely at the working faces and gas feeders could be heard, the ropeman blocked the door open while changing cars. Methane accumulated, and when the door again was closed the accumulated gas was pushed over one of the men at the face as he was lighting a cigarette with a match. The other men were at lunch on the gangway.

 

“A total of 17 men were in the affected area, 2 of whom were killed outright. The other 15 men were burned but walked out unassisted. Eight of these men died within 10 days; the remaining 7 recovered.”

 

United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States:

“The deceased:[1]

  • John Brsaunkus, 39
  • Joseph Dranst, 46
  • Mike Elick, 28
  • James Litner, 37
  • Andrew Pulacheck, 54
  • Frank Skebinskie, 42
  • Mike Steffon, 38
  • Vincas “William” Tomalinas, 52
  • Albert Zakofskie, 22
  • Mike Zakofskie, 42

Sources

 

Mine Safety and Health Administration. Historical Coal Mine Disasters in the Anthracite Region (District 1 – Coal Mine Safety and Health).  Arlington, VA:  MSHA, U.S. Department of Labor.  Accessed 1-3-2009 at:  http://www.msha.gov/District/Dist_01/Fatals/HISTFAT.HTM

 

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 3-22-2025 at:

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

 

United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. “Lehigh Valley Coal Company Dorrance Mine Explosion, Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1925, Nol. Killed – 10.” Accessed 3-22-2025 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/dorrance.htm

 

[1] Cites: Pennsylvania Anthracite Mine Accidents, 1924-1932.