WHITE HALL, W.Va. — An ongoing fire in a pre-law coal mine in Marion County that has been monitored by the state Department of Environmental Protection has flared, leading to reports of smoke and calls to 911.
Increased smoke has been reported off Opal Drive near Winston’s Wheel and Tire since Monday. Members of the Valley Volunteer Fire Department have responded to numerous smoke reports and suspected carbon monoxide (CO) contamination at the tire store.
“This particular fire has been going on for about a year now, and we’ve been monitoring it twice a week,” State DEP Director of Communications Terry Fletcher said on MetroNews Midday Friday.
Valley Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief Zac Eakle said smoke reports in the area have been an ongoing issue for the residents for years. But, this week something has caused the fire to worsen.
“But the coal seams are from way back when, and the Valley Volunteer Fire Department has had issues out there for years,” Eakle said.
State officials are working with a contractor to find a way to first contain the fire and then develop a strategy to put the fire out. Getting the fire extinguished is going to be a major undertaking that will require the agreement of many area property owners in order to move forward.
“Then we can look at ways to ultimately put it out,” Fletcher said. “This kind of fix is pretty substantial, so we have to get buy-in from the local residents,” Fletcher said.
The cause of this fire is undetermined and Fletcher said fires like these can be caused by a wide range of factors.
“It can be brush fires, a lightning strike, or some kind of surface fire that can start one of these fires, or it could be combustion of coal if there’s poor ventilation,” Fletcher said.
Eakle said they have answered several calls for smoke in the area, and they are limited when that is the case. Eakle said they will remain at the ready to protect life and property from fire.
“If folks don’t see any fire, I wouldn’t call 911, but if you do see fire, of course call us,” Eakle said. ” There is going to be smoke visible in that area until the problem gets rectified.”