Midlothian, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - The State Mines Department says the coal waste fire spotted in the Winterpock area at the beginning of March has finally been put out. State Mines Spokeswoman Tarah Kesterson says the fire was extinguished Wednesday, and crews spent Thursday encapsulating the site.
The mine the waste came from dates to the 1870s. Western Chesterfield was one of the first mining areas in the United States. Waste piles still remain as environmental laws didn't tighten until the 1970s.
The fire created unusual smells in Western Chesterfield over the past few weeks.
