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According to local news outlets The Southern and WSIL-TV, the 25-foot by 60ft structure in Johnson City contained the mine’s hydraulic fluid, gear oil and diesel fuel holding tanks.
Officials said there was no way to determine the level of fluid in the tanks at the time of the fire, but that they were not full. The diesel fuel, gear oil and hydraulic fuel tanks had capacities of 6000 gallons, 4000 gallons and 4000 gallons respectively.
The Southern noted that the fire began at 3.30pm and was cleared at 7.30pm, and some small explosions were heard during the fire; crews monitored fluid temperatures with thermal imaging cameras.
The cause is being investigated and no injuries were reported.
The building was completely leveled by the fire.
Mach Mining did not offer public comment Friday. An ILN request for comment from the US Mine Safety and Health Administration was not returned.
The bituminous Mach No. 1 operation produced 5.5 million tons in 2008.
