A Not-So-Safety Inspector

The curious cause of a Colorado mine disaster.

Colorado mining had its second disaster in April 1917. Less than two miles from where the Ludlow Massacre occurred in 1914, a major explosion ripped apart the Victor-American Fuel Company Mine. At least 121 miners died in the blast and resulting fire—the worst such disaster in Colorado history. The ironic point: mine inspector David Reese caused the explosion by attempting to re-light his oil-burning safety lamp—a violation of company rules. Reese was among those killed in the explosion.