Ice accumulation in the air shaft restricted ventilation which caused a buildup of methane gas.
Coal dust suspended in the air assisted the explosion in traveling throughout every region of the mine.
In addition to interior devastation, the force was so powerful that it wrecked the exterior of the shaft.
[5] Of 175 mine workers underground at the time, the single survivor was the severely burned 16-year-old Adolph Gunia.
[6] Other casualties included Daniel A. Lyle and the mine engineer Selwyn M. Taylor, who both gave their lives in rescue attempts after responding to the scene.