Pocono News Section

Throop Notes Anniversary of Mining Disaster

Throop Notes Anniversary of Mining Disaster - Monday, April 7, 2008 at 3:32PM EST

Reported by: David DeCosmo
Monday, Apr 7, 2008 @03:32pm EST
THROOP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- April 7th marks the 97th anniversary of a mining disaster in Throop Borough that claimed 73 lives.

72 miners at the Pencoast Coal Company suffocated in 1911 when fire from an engine room sent clouds of dense smoke throughout the mine tunnels under the town. A rescue worker lost his life trying to reach the trapped men.

The mine closed for good not long after the disaster. The incident led to new regulations which required underground buildings to be constructed of noncombustable materials.