The History of the Yellow Jacket Mine in Virginia

A fire broke out in an unattended part of the mine, allowing it to burn unnoticed for hours. By the time mine s became aware of the smoke and flames, it was too late. Rescue efforts were fruitless due to clouds of poisonous gas and massive flames. They tried lowering large metal cages down into the shaft, hoping trapped miners would climb in and ride it safely back up. But that cage passed through the fire and gas, making it a special kind of death trap. According to reports of the incident, those flames burned for weeks.