Crossword Genius

Heard black liner was used in pit for fuel storage in the past (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

coalhole

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'heard black liner' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'used in pit for fuel storage in the past' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'pit' could be 'hole' (a pit is a hole) and 'hole' is present in the answer.
'fuel' could be 'coal' (coal is a kind of fuel) and 'coal' is present in the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'was' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for coalhole that I've seen is " small cellar".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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