3 Miners Rescued from Tennessee Mine After Fire

December 30, 2011

Three miners trapped by smoke underground in a Tennessee zinc mine have been rescued after a fire started on a drill rig.

Tim Wilder, of the Jefferson County EMA, said the three were helped out of the mine by a rescue team after about three hours underground Wednesday. They appear to be unharmed but are being taken to a hospital.

Nyrstar, the company that operates the mine, says the miners were in “fine spirits.”

Two other miners were also taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.