State and federal officials told ILN the surface incident occurred at about 12.50am at the Beth Station preparation facility near Danville, part of Patriot’s Hobet 21 surface complex.

The injured firefighter was taken to a local medical center for treatment of heat and exhaustion resulting from his efforts to extinguish the flames.

An investigation into cause is underway.

Neither the US Mine Safety and Health Administration nor the West Virginia confirmed the operating status of the mine and plant.

An ILN request for comment from a Patriot spokeswoman was not returned by press time.