Donetsk, Sep 24 - DAN. A fire occurred at a conveyor belt transfer point in the Donetsk-based Zasyadko colliery, city administration head Alexey Kulemzin said on Friday.

“Yesterday, at 21:30, a fire broke out at a transfer point of a conveyor belt in the Zasyadko mine. General air flow reversal was activated at 4:57. The cause of the fire is being investigated,” Kulemzin wrote on Telegram.

No casualty or damage reports are available as yet.

A transfer point is the place were coal is moved from one belt to another. It includes a box through which mined rock falls on to the conveyor belt. This section is serviced by an engine mechanic.

Ventilation reversal is used to rescue the coalminers caught in an accident. It quickly delivers fresh air and removes  poisoned gases to the surface. This method is used after explosions, underground fires and coal, rock and gas bursts.

Commissioned in 1958, the Zasyadko colliery is one of the largest in the region. It is located in the Donetsk’s frontline Kievsky district and has repeatedly come under Ukrainian forces fire. *jk