A fire broke out inside a zinc mine in Tennessee trapping three miners inside for about three hours before they were rescued. Two other miners below ground suffered smoke inhalation.

Authorities said that the three miners were trapped by smoke and needed respirators before they could leave the mine. A rescue team helped them out and they appeared unharmed, though they were taken to a hospital as a precaution.

Mr Tim Wilder of the Jefferson County EMA said the miners had been in contact with authorities but couldn’t leave because the smoke was so thick. He said that “It’s the ending you hope for.”

Ms Renata Roberts a spokeswoman for Switzerland based mine operator Nyrstar said the three rescued miners were in fine spirits. She added that “We are working with mine-safety officials and others to make sure it’s safe to resume operations. We are undertaking a full investigation,.”

According to Amy Louviere, a spokeswoman with the Mine Safety and Health Administration, there were 54 miners underground at the time of the fire. It was unclear how the fire started on a drill rig about 800 feet below ground.

(Sourced from www.dispatch.com)