Another Suit Filed Over Fatal West Virginia Mine Fire

Massey Energy Co. is facing another lawsuit over a fatal fire at one of its mines in West Virginia.

Wyatt Robinson’s lawsuit claims Richmond, Va.-based Massey and a subsidiary, Aracoma Coal Company Inc., failed to maintain proper safety measures at the Alma No. 1 Mine in Logan County.

Two miners, 46-year-old Ellery Elvis Hatfield and 33-year-old Don Bragg, were killed in the Jan. 19, 2006, fire at the mine.

Robinson’s lawsuit says he will suffer lung damage from the fire.

The lawsuit was filed Nov. 30 in Kanawha County Circuit Court. Its allegations are similar to those contained in two other lawsuits filed previously by seven other survivors.

Massey spokesman Jeff Gillenwater had not seen the latest lawsuit and had no comment.

Information from: The Charleston Gazette,
http://www.wvgazette.com