Pike River’s Vent Flames Extinguished, NZ Police Say
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Workers have extinguished flames from the vent shaft of New Zealand’s Pike River coal mine where 29 men were presumed killed last month while an underground fire continues to prevent a recovery of bodies, police said.
While conditions in the West Coast mine are still too dangerous for teams to enter, exterior flames are no longer visible and temperatures around its vent are cooling, according to an e-mailed statement today. Gas readings are also displaying some positive signs, with some areas showing as inert.