This is from the Mine Safety & Health Administration: YEAR DAY MINE LOCATION TYPE DEATHS 1981 12/08 No. 21 Mine, Grundy Mining Co. Marion Co., Whitwell, Tennessee Explosion 13 On December 8, 1981 at approximately 12 noon (CST), an explosion occurred in the 003 section of the No. 21 mine operated by Grundy Mining Company, Incorporated. The mine was located 15 miles northwest of Whitwell in Marion County, Tennessee. A total of fifty-six (56) men were underground at the time of the explosion, thirteen (13) were killed or died as a result of the explosion. The 003 section was mining toward an old gob area and was test drilling in advance of the face. On December 7, 1981, the boreholes intersected the five right gob area and encountered 5.2% methane at the boreholes. By December 8, 1981, the section had advanced the faces and enlarged one of the boreholes to a four (4) foot by seven (7) foot opening. According the investigation findings, the intake air to the section face had been short-circuited at a crosscut between nos. 2 and 3 entries (3 crosscuts outby the face). Methane had migrated into the section working face from the penetrated gob area via the enlarged opening and could not be diluted because adequate ventilation controls were missing. The ignition was found to be caused by a miner striking a cigarette lighter. Evidence showed that smoking articles were present on the section and on four of the bodies of the deceased miners.