Question

Analyze the Centralia No. 5 mine disaster, providing a basic summary. What was the central cause of the tragedy and what obstructions to effective public administration existed? Offer possible solutions that may have changed the outcome

Answer 1

The Centralia No. 5 mine disaster was an explosion caused by an underburdened or half burnt ignition which made the coal catch fire. This disaster took life of 111 people all of which were the workers in the mine. Some died because of fire and some because of afterdamp.

The central cause of the tragedy was an underburdened or half burnt ignition which casued the coal to catch fire. Also, this show that there were lack of proper ignition methods and safety measures in place. Obstructions to effective public administration was a bill proposed in Congress to give U.S Bureau of Mines regulatory power.

Possible solutions that may have changed the outcome are:

1) Limiting the number of workers working in the mine at a single time.

2) Taking extra precaution to detonate/burst the shot properly which should not cause fire sooner or later.

3)There should have been some other emergency exits which could have saved some lifes.