Lightning likely led to mine explosion, owner says

? An explosion that killed 12 workers at the Sago Mine likely was caused by a massive lightning strike that ignited methane gas in a sealed-off area, the mine’s owner said Tuesday.

The company’s own investigation turned up three pieces of compelling evidence of a lightning strike, all from 6:26 a.m. on Jan. 2, said Ben Hatfield, chief executive officer of International Coal Group Inc.

He said weather monitors confirmed an unusually large and powerful lightning strike near the mine; a U.S. Geological Survey station confirmed a seismic event at Sago; and the mine’s own atmospheric alarms sounded.

The company’s announcement provides the strongest indication so far of what may have caused the blast.

The coal mine is set to resume production today.

The explosion trapped a crew of 13 men more than 250 feet underground for more than 40 hours. By the time rescue teams reached them, all but one had died, most slowly succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Survivor Randal L. McCloy Jr. visited his home Tuesday for the first time since the explosion, ate lunch and returned to a rehabilitation hospital.