Adger, Alabama – A devastating explosion left a 78-year-old man, W.M. Griffice, and his 21-year-old grandson, Anthony Hill, with catastrophic burns after their home exploded, reducing it to a small, scorched footprint in the Alabama clay. The incident occurred on March 8 in Adger, a small town located 25 miles southwest of Birmingham. Griffice had expressed concerns to his granddaughter, Kenzie, about his home exploding in the days leading up to the tragic event. Company representatives from Oak Grove, a nearby coal mine, had visited Griffice’s home multiple times and found methane gas in his water well, which they then capped.
Griffice and Hill were rushed to a Birmingham hospital after the explosion, where they continue to fight for their lives. A lawsuit filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court attributes the explosion to a methane gas buildup resulting from Oak Grove’s mining activities under Griffice’s home. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of Oak Grove, stating that proper safety measures were not taken to prevent the migration of potentially deadly levels of methane gas into Griffice’s home.
Oak Grove Mine owners and operators have not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident. An examination of state and federal mining records by Inside Climate News confirms that Griffice’s home is situated over a proposed expansion of an underground longwall mine operated by Crimson Oak Grove Resources, LLC, one of the defendants in the lawsuit. The records also reveal a history of safety violations by Oak Grove, including citations related to the ignition of accumulated methane gas.
The tragedy has shed light on the dangers associated with longwall mining, which has the potential for methane escaping from underground coal mines, posing a threat to miners and nearby communities. The method used by Oak Grove Mine involves bladed machines shearing off coal along vast expanses, leading to the collapse of the rock ceiling behind the cutting tool. This process can result in the release of methane, a highly explosive gas that poses risks to residents living above the mines.
State investigators are looking into the cause of the home explosion in Adger, but experts point to various factors, including a potential methane leak from the mine, as a likely cause. The lawsuit filed on behalf of Griffice and Hill aims to hold responsible parties accountable for the devastating injuries sustained in the explosion. Meanwhile, concerns persist about the safety of residents in the area, given the risks associated with methane migration and subsidence resulting from mining activities.
The heartbreaking incident has deeply affected Kenzie Hill, who recalls the cherished memories associated with her family home that was tragically destroyed in the explosion. As the investigation continues and questions linger about the safety practices of mining companies, the community remains vigilant about the potential risks posed by underground mining activities. The aftermath of the explosion serves as a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive safety measures to protect both miners and residents in mining-affected areas.