The biggest threats to rescuers are the various fumes, particularly “blackdamp”, a mix of carbon dioxide and nitrogen that contains no oxygen, and “whitedamp”, which is carbon monoxide. MONONGAH – At 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, the memorial bell in Monongah rang out in remembrance of the lives lost at almost the same time 110 years ago in Fairmont Coal Co.’s No. 6 and No. The lack of breathing apparatus at the time made venturing into these areas impossible. 430 Bridge Street Monongah, West Virginia 26554 On Dec. 6 1907, Fairmont Federal Coal's No.
8 mines exploded, killing 367 men. 6 and No. During the early days of coal mining, time was of the essence to bring people out alive. Monongah Mine Disaster Memorial across the street from 430 Bridge Street Monongah, West Virginia 26554 Follow historic signs about coal mining history on the rail trail to end with a beautiful and heart-rending monument. The monument is dedicated to the 361 miners killed in the 1907 Monongah Mine Disaster. Rescuers could only stay in the mine for 15 minutes a… It's considered the worst mining disaster in American history. The first volunteer rescuers entered the two mines twenty-five minutes after the initial explosion.