Abstract: To counter the problems of the long－time suspension of production in 5401 working face，the serious air leakage from surface to the working face and the signs of spontaneous ignition of residual coal in the overlying mined out area，the fire prevention and extinguishing system by pressure relief and balance ventilation was established according to the mine diagonal ventilation theory and with the combination of the pressure balance for air control．After adopting the fire prevention and extinguishing technology by pressure relief and balance ventilation，the CO volume fraction in the working face reduced from 300 × 10^－6to 0，the CO volume fraction in the upper borehole decreased gradually from 5 000 × 10^－6to 0，good fire prevention and extinguishing effect was achieved，and the problem of spontaneous combustion of residual coal in a short period in the gob was thus solved．