With an increasing population and the build-up of industry in the region, tragedies became more frequent in the second half of the 19th century. Sixteen people were killed – largely in factories – when a devastating F3 tornado struck Wilkes-Barre on August 19, 1890. It was the deadliest tornado in the county's history. The region's first significant mining disaster occurred on September 6, 1869, when a massive fire at the Avondale Colliery in Plymouth Township killed 110 people. Another consequential mining accident occurred on June 28, 1896, when the Newton Coal Company's Twin Shaft Mine in Pittston City caved-in and killed 58 miners.
with an increasing population and the build-up of industry in the region tragedies became more frequent in the second half of the 19th century sixteen people were killed – largely in factories – when a devastating f3 tornado struck wilkes-barre on august 19 1890 it was the deadliest tornado in the county's history the region's first significant mining disaster occurred on september 6 1869 when a massive fire at the avondale colliery in plymouth township killed 110 people another consequential mining accident occurred on june 28 1896 when the newton coal company's twin shaft mine in pittston city caved-in and killed 58 miners