All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Coal mine experiences ‘combustion-related event’ in Barbour County

No one was injured when a coal mine in Barbour County suffered a “combustion-related event” this week.

According to a press release from Core Natural Resources, the Mine Safety and Health Administration and other agencies were on site to assess the situation due to the underground fire.

“The Leer South mine near Philippi, West Virginia, experienced a combustion-related event on January 13,” the company said in a statement. “All mine personnel have been safely evacuated from the mine and no injuries have been sustained. The Mine Safety and Health Administration and the appropriate state regulatory agencies have been notified and are on hand.”

Core Natural Resources was formed by the merger of CONSOL Energy and Arch Resources, which was completed on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

“The Leer South team is working closely with federal and state officials to assess the situation,” the statement notes. “The company does not believe that the event has resulted in any material damage to the longwall or other mining equipment.”

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