🔥Introduction

Mine fires are among the most dangerous hazards in underground and opencast mining operations.
They not only cause loss of life and equipment but also damage the environment and disrupt production. To address this, DGMS (Directorate General of Mines Safety) conducts detailed investigations into every major fire incident and issues circulars, reports, and safety recommendations. This topic is directly included in DGMS Safety & Legislation papers for Coal and Metal Manager Exams.

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🧨 Major Mine Fire Incidents 

 🔹 1. Chasnalla Mine Fire (Jharkhand, 1975)

• Type: Underground coal mine fire + explosion.
• Cause: Gas accumulation (methane) followed by ignition due to sparks.
• Fatalities: 372 miners trapped and killed.
• Lesson:
• Need for better methane detection systems.
• Regular ventilation surveys.
• Strict electrical safety near gassy zones.

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🔹 2. Jharia Coalfield Fires (Ongoing since 1916)

• Type: Spontaneous combustion in coal seams (surface and underground).
• Cause: Uncontrolled oxidation of exposed coal seams.
• Impact: Land subsidence, gas emissions, property loss.
• Lesson:
• Proper sealing of old workings.
• Monitoring of temperature and CO levels.
• Systematic reclamation and surface sealing using inert material.

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🔹 3. New Kenda Colliery Fire (1994)

• Type: Spontaneous combustion during depillaring.
• Cause: Poor ventilation and delay in stowing operations.
• Lesson:
• Timely stowing and sealing essential.
• Fire prevention measures must begin at planning stage.

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🔹 4. Churcha Colliery (SECL) Fire, 2005

• Type: Surface fire spreading into underground workings.
• Cause: Ignition of coal stockpile due to spontaneous heating.
• Lesson:
• Regular monitoring of coal stockpiles.
• Temperature control and rotation of coal heaps.

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🔹 5. Zawar Mine (Rajasthan, Hindustan Zinc Ltd.)

• Type: Fire in underground cable gallery.
• Cause: Short circuit in electrical cables.
• Lesson:
• Fire-resistant cables and isolation panels required.
• Automatic fire detection and suppression systems.

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🧯 Lessons & DGMS Guidelines DGMS, through its circulars and technical advisories, emphasizes three key aspects of mine fire prevention: 

  🔸 1. Prevention

• Avoid exposure of coal seams to air.
• Regular inspection for signs of heating (CO & CO₂ rise).
• Avoid accumulation of coal dust and oil residues.
• Proper electrical maintenance (no loose connections).

🔸 2. Detection

• Use of telemetry-based CO monitoring systems.
• Routine gas sampling and analysis.
• Thermal imaging for surface fires.
• Periodic spontaneous combustion index testing.

🔸 3. Control & Suppression

• Direct method: Cooling, sealing, or inertization (CO₂/N₂ flooding).
• Indirect method: Isolation by constructing seals and stoppings.
• Use of fire-fighting foams and stone dust barriers.
• DGMS recommends establishing fire-fighting stations in all mines.

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🧾 Relevant DGMS Circulars:

• DGMS Tech. Circular No. 01 of 2008: Fire prevention during depillaring.
• DGMS Tech. Circular No. 03 of 2017: Illumination & electrical standards to prevent fire risk.
• DGMS Tech. Circular No. 06 of 2020: Fire protection in diesel equipment & workshops.
• DGMS Accident Report Summaries (2000–2023): Fire-related incidents and causes.

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⚡ Quick Exam-Oriented Notes

• Spontaneous combustion – main cause of underground coal fires.
• Gas accumulation – methane/CO buildup leads to explosion risk.
• Fire triangle: Fuel + Oxygen + Heat.
• Firefighting hierarchy: Prevention → Detection → Control → Recovery.
• CMR 2017 Reg. 119 – Fire precautions in coal mines.
• Fire detection: CO, CO₂, temperature sensors.
• Sealing: Temporary (sandbag) or permanent (brick/foam).
• Fire control materials: Foamite, sand, rock dust, and nitrogen.
• Emergency plan: Mandatory under Reg. 199 – CMR 2017.
• DGMS mandate: Periodic fire drills and training.

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🧮 Descriptive Model Answer

Q: Discuss major mine fire case studies and DGMS preventive measures. 

Answer:
Mine fires such as Chasnalla (1975), New Kenda (1994), and Zawar (Rajasthan) highlight different causes — from gas explosion to electrical short-circuit and spontaneous combustion.
DGMS reports stress preventive monitoring, proper sealing, ventilation, and regular inspection.
Fire prevention is addressed in CMR 2017 Reg. 119, while DGMS circulars (2008, 2017, 2020) outline preventive design standards and emergency protocols.
Fire risk assessment and training are essential for safe mining operations.

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🧩 25 MCQs – Mine Fire Case Studies &     Prevention 

Q1. The Chasnalla mine disaster occurred in:
A. 1965
B. 1975
C. 1985
D. 1995
E. 2000
Answer: B.
Solution: Chasnalla fire and inundation occurred in 1975.

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Q2. The main cause of Chasnalla disaster was:
A. Roof fall
B. Methane ignition and flooding
C. Explosives misuse
D. Conveyor belt fire
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Explosion and flooding combined caused fatalities.

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Q3. Jharia coalfield fires are caused by:
A. Lightning
B. Spontaneous combustion
C. Overloading
D. Explosion
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Result from oxidation of coal seams.

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Q4. Zawar mine fire was due to:
A. Gas leak
B. Cable short circuit
C. Welding spark
D. Diesel leak
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Electrical fault in cable gallery.

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Q5. DGMS Circular 01/2008 deals with:
A. Fire during depillaring
B. Haul road safety
C. Dust suppression
D. Ground stability
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Preventive guidelines for depillaring fires.

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Q6. Fire triangle includes:
A. Fuel, Water, Air
B. Fuel, Oxygen, Heat
C. Heat, Light, Energy
D. CO, CH₄, Dust
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: These three elements cause combustion.

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Q7. CMR 2017 Regulation 119 relates to:
A. Fire precautions in coal mines
B. Gas testing
C. Blasting
D. Training
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Specifies fire prevention rules.

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Q8. Which gas is key indicator of spontaneous heating?
A. O₂
B. CO
C. CH₄
D. H₂
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: CO rise indicates heating.

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Q9. Fire detection systems commonly monitor:
A. Dust
B. Temperature and CO levels
C. Noise
D. Water flow
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Both are early warning indicators.

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Q10. “Foamite” is used for:
A. Explosives
B. Fire suppression
C. Dust control
D. Roof support
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Fire suppression chemical foam.

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Q11. Permanent fire seals are built using:
A. Sandbags
B. Brick masonry
C. Timber
D. Steel mesh
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Brick and mortar construction.

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Q12. The mine with ongoing fire since 1916 is:
A. Jharia
B. Dhanbad
C. Korba
D. Talcher
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Jharia coalfield fire is century-old.

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Q13. DGMS Circular 06/2020 concerns:
A. Diesel equipment fire safety
B. Slope stability
C. Dust hazards
D. Lighting in mines
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Mandates safety in diesel workshops.

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Q14. Temporary fire seal type:
A. Brick wall
B. Sandbag stoppings
C. Concrete pillar
D. Foam blocks
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Sandbags for temporary sealing.

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Q15. Main reason for spontaneous combustion:
A. Air contact with coal
B. High humidity
C. CO₂ leak
D. Rainfall
E. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Oxidation of exposed coal.

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Q16. Fire prevention begins at:
A. Production stage
B. Planning stage
C. Post-incident review
D. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Fire prevention must start with mine design.

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Q17. Thermal imaging helps in:
A. Measuring humidity
B. Detecting surface fires
C. Gas sampling
D. Roof fall prediction
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Detects hot zones early.

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Q18. Firefighting in mines uses:
A. Water only
B. Foam, CO₂, nitrogen
C. Sand alone
D. Diesel
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Combination based on type.

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Q19. DGMS recommends emergency fire drills:
A. Monthly
B. Quarterly
C. Annually
D. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Quarterly for all underground mines.

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Q20. The key preventive gas monitoring ratio:
A. Graham’s Ratio
B. Fire Index
C. Dulong Formula
D. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Indicates spontaneous heating trend.

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Q21. CO₂ flooding is used for:
A. Roof control
B. Fire suppression
C. Cooling
D. Dust control
E. None
Answer: B.
Solution: Reduces oxygen availability.

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Q22. A good fire prevention plan must include:
A. Detection, sealing, monitoring
B. Only fire extinguishers
C. Insurance policy
D. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Integrated plan required.

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Q23. Fire reports are submitted to DGMS within:
A. 24 hours
B. 48 hours
C. 7 days
D. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Immediate notification mandatory.

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Q24. Fire sealing in mines is governed under:
A. CMR 2017 Reg. 119
B. MMR 1961 Reg. 173
C. Both A & B
D. None
Answer: C.
Solution: Both regulations cover sealing.

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Q25. The main objective of DGMS fire circulars is:
A. Accident prevention
B. Increase production
C. Manpower planning
D. None
Answer: A.
Solution: Ensure safety and prevention.

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