MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — The Shoemaker Mine in Marshall County has been temporarily shutdown by the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
MSHA reported being notified of a fire at the mine’s Whittaker Portal on Thursday. The agency ordered the mine closed and miners removed as an investigation into the cause of the fire and remediation were underway.
MSHA issued the following statement Friday.
“The Mine Safety and Health Administration’s immediate priority in these situations is to ensure miners are safe while the mine operator addresses the fire or the hazard that exists. Once the agency determines all miners are safe, MSHA’s role is to review and approve the operator’s plans to either further mitigate the hazards associated with the fire or mitigate hazards in the mine. Reopening the mine is the operator’s responsibility. ”
There were no reports of any injuries as a result of the fire.