Crews at a mine in Carbon County were trying to contain a coal fire late Wednesday.
The blaze started about 6:30 p.m. at Cyprus Plateau Mining's Willow Creek Mine, located a few miles northeast of Helper. The miners were evacuated safely, officials said."I don't know how many people were in the mine," said Dennis Ware, manager of administration. "All were evacuated safely and they've all been accounted for."
The mine's emergency crews were trying to cut off the fire's oxygen supply, Ware said. The blaze continued to burn late Wednesday.
Carbon County rescue teams were on standby in case somebody was injured.
"So far we've had no injuries," a police dispatcher said.
A temporary shelter was set up at an elementary school in Wellington for area residents who have breathing problems and the elderly who were evacuated because of concerns about the heavy smoke coming from the mine.
Police closed U-191 between Duchesne and Helper after the fire was reported about 7 p.m.