Midlothian, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - The State Mines Department says for the second time this year, they are dealing with smoldering in a coal waste pile in Winterpock in western Chesterfield. This fire is located in the same pile that saw smoldering in March; however, it is in a different part of that pile and not related.
State Mines Spokeswoman Tarah Kesterson says to reduce the chance of additional smoldering, with this pile, they are cooling it, and then mixing in rock to reduce the possibility of combustion. They will then cap the pile where the fire burned.
Western Chesterfield used to be a heavy coal mining area. The coal waste file where the fires have happened date to the 1870s.



