Three Rescued From Tennessee Mine

Dec. 28, 2011 — -- Three miners are now safe after being rescued from a Tennessee zinc mine this afternoon, officials say.

A blaze swept the Young Mine in New Market, Tenn., around 1 p.m. today after a drilling rig reportedly caught fire. Fifty-four miners -- members of a utility crew -- were in the mine at the time. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, two miners were transported to Jefferson Memorial Hospital for minor smoke inhalation.

The Young Mine is one of three in Jefferson County operated by Nyrstar. A company operations manager said an investigation had been started.

New Market Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Sammy Solomon said the three men were 1,200 feet in a safe area trapped by smoke. Before the trio was rescued, they were in radio contact with those above ground and had been receiving air.

They all are reportedly doing fine.