NEW MARKET, Tenn. – Three miners trapped by smoke underground in a Tennessee zinc mine have been rescued after a fire started on a drill rig.
Tim Wilder, of the Jefferson County EMA, said the three were helped out of the mine by a rescue team after about three hours underground Wednesday. They appear to be unharmed but are being taken to a hospital.
Nyrstar, the company that operates the mine, says the miners were in "fine spirits."
Two other miners were also taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
It was not clear yet how the fire started at the Young mine about 25 miles northeast of Knoxville. The mine is operated by the Switzerland based company Nyrstar. The company's mine rescue team has entered the mine and will establish a fresh air base, Louviere said.
