Rescuers On Way To Help 3 Trapped Miners In Tenn.

Published December 28, 2011 8:36PM (EST)

NEW MARKET, Tenn. (AP) — Officials say three miners that are trapped underground in Tennessee after a fire have made it to a safe area and rescuers are on their way to help them.

Tim Wilder of the Jefferson County EMA says the fire in the zinc mine is smoking, but not burning. Amy Louviere, a spokeswoman with the Mine Safety and Health Administration, said the miners are in good condition and they are not in the smoke.

She said 54 miners were underground at the time of the fire and 51 made it out safely.

Two miners were taken to a hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The three trapped miners made contact with the surface about an hour after the fire started.

The mine is operated by the company Nyrstar.


By Salon Staff

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