GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — A fire at a Campbell County coal mine has left three coal miners with second- and third-degree burns.

Officials with the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration say the men were burned Tuesday about 10:50 a.m. at a coal truck crusher dump while they were working to change a bearing on a chain conveyor at the North Antelope Rochelle Mine.

Officials say that coal dust was ignited by embers and a burner used to heat the bearing race.The miners were transported to Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette and then sent to a hospital in Greeley, Colo. Their names were not released.

The mine is owned by St. Louis-based Peabody Energy Corp. Peabody spokeswoman Charlene Murdock says the incident is under investigation.

 

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