RAMGARH: A massive underground fire broke out in an abandoned coal mine in the

Rajrappa

area of

Central Coalfields Limited

(

CCL

), threatening nearly 10,000 residents with toxic gas emissions and potential landslides.
The fire, which erupted late Sunday night, is located approximately 500 meters from residential areas. However, CCL management and the local administration have yet to initiate firefighting operations.
Raju Mahto

, a local resident, told TOI that

Bhuchungdih

village faces severe life threats, warning that residents may be forced to evacuate if the fire isn't contained immediately.
Another villager,

Jeevan Mahto

, said that despite early warnings about smoke and gas emissions from the abandoned mine, CCL and administrative officials failed to take timely action.

Ramgarh deputy commissioner Chandan Kumar stated that officials were deployed to monitor the situation. "The administration is consulting with CCL mining experts and firefighting teams to develop a strategy for dousing the fire," he said.
Kumar directed the Ramgarh SDO,

District Mining Officer

, and CCL officials to commence urgent firefighting operations to prevent the fire from reaching Bhuchungdih village in the Chitarpur block.
Kalyanji Prasad

, General Manager of CCL's Rajrappa area, acknowledged the fire's severity and explained that initial containment efforts include filling the area with soil and sand while seeking better solutions.
He noted that the fire's location in an isolated area poses challenges for accessing the site with heavy machinery and fire tenders, though some were dispatched.
CCL officials confirmed the presence of deadly toxic gases, including carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, in the smoke. The situation remains critical as authorities work to prevent the fire's spread and protect nearby residents from harmful emissions and potential ground instability.