WHITE HALL, W.Va. — The state DEP has initiated the next phase of work to mitigate an underground fire in a 100-year-old mine.
Charleston-based Thaxton Construction has been awarded the project to stabilize the property along Nellie Lane and construct a retaining wall for $11.6 million.
The fire reemerged in July 2025, burning at a temperature of at least 700 degrees in some areas. Residents and business owners have reported seeing and smelling the sulfuric smoke and even seeing flames.
Delegate Guy Ward, R-Marion, said Frostburg State University produced thermal images of the site that residents can view at White Hall Town Hall.
“Any interested residents that want to take a look at that can do that,” Ward said. “It’s a little misleading because it makes it look worse than it is, but it still gives you an idea where the fire is underground.”
There are two homes within the limits of Phase II of the project that had to be purchased. One had been vacant for several years and was torn down, and the remaining property was purchased from the owner this fall.
“They gave the owner fair market value, and the owners are happy with that,” Ward said. “They found other places to move, and the contractor is helping them move out of the house, so they’re pleased with the contractor and what he’s doing.”
The businesses along Nellie Lane have suffered a wide range of damage over the last year. The shifting ground has destabilized some of the area around the businesses that in some cases are sitting immediately above the fire.
“They had a pallet sitting there, and it had charred marks from the heat from the coal mine underneath there,” Ward said. “They’re probably just feet above the mine shaft. That fire is burning underneath, and you can feel the floor in the building, and it’s warm.”
DEP Communications Officer Terry Fletcher released the following statement about the project:
“Contractors are currently on site performing work to stabilize the affected area, including removing excess soil to help prevent further ground movement. Sediment controls, access restrictions, and safety signage have also been installed to protect nearby residents and the surrounding community. Following an assessment of current site conditions, contractors are evaluating alternative material sources to expedite construction of a retaining wall to stabilize the hillside and address the landslide. WVDEP is also continuing to provide funding for temporary housing and storage for the two residences impacted by the slide. WVDEP remains committed to addressing the immediate safety concerns while advancing the broader reclamation project to address the underground mine fire as safely and quickly as possible.”
Ward said some business owners remain concerned.
“one of them has a lawsuit against the state Department of Environmental Protection,” Ward said. “I’ve talked to some other business owners, and they’re still a little concerned and are waiting to see what happens.”
The contractor is preparing the site retaining wall construction that won’t get started until the spring. Ward, the contractor, the business, and the DEP will be watching that hillside until retaining wall construction starts in the spring.
“The steel for the retaining wall won’t be made until February 7, and it won’t be on site until March,” Ward said. “So, they won’t have the material to do the retaining wall until March.”