A funeral procession for miners killed in the Coal Creek Mine explosion at Fernie.

At 7:30 p.m. on May 22, 1902, a thousand-foot fireball erupted from the mouth of the No. 2 and No. 3 mines. The explosion was started by methane gas, which ignited coal dust within the tunnel and blasted outward.

Those not killed in the initial blast were poisoned or suffocated by “afterdamp,” toxic gas produced by the combustion of coal and wood. In total the explosion killed 128 men and boys. The youngest was John Kravatz, aged 12.

Fernie Museum image

Article Share