Situation: A fire starts in a collection of coal. This can slowly spread over time along any connected coal. The most devastating examples are associated with coal mines and large coal seams.
Consequences of a coal fire:
(1)
collapse of overlying land after the coal has been burned away
(2) fire in flammable material within range of the fire, including overlying houses
(3) toxic gas release
(4) contamination of underground water supplies
Methods of putting out a coal fire:
(1) burying all sources of oxygen
(2) saturating the coal with liquid nitrogen
(3) infusing water or a water slurry
(4) isolating burning sections with a wall to prevent spread
A developing country may not be able to afford putting out the fire, and the fire can go on for decades.
