SENGHENYDD MINE INQUIRY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1959, 16 January 1914, Page 7

SENGHENYDD MINE INQUIRY.

VERDICT ON THE CAUSE OF THE

UIoAMM,

EXPLOSION ACCIDENTAL.

INSUFFICIENT MINE INSPECTORS.

By Teloeraph-Prcsa Areocfcition-CopyriKht

. London, January 14. lno inquiry into the- cause of tho orplosion m October last in the Universal Colliery at Seuglienydd, Cardiff, whereby 900 men wero entombed, 420 losing their lives, has concluded. The verdict of the committee was that tho explosion was accidental. The colliery, considered the committee, was properly vontilatod and properly inspected on tho morning of the explosion, tho number of examiners being adequate Tho explosion was duo to gas fed by coal dust. Cleansing of the floors and roads was systematic, but tho commission recommended that n:oro attention should bo paid to tho roofs and sides. The committee urged tho Homo Office to endeavour to find a. solution of the dust problem. It was unable to locate the original site of tho explosion, but a preponderance of evidenco enabled it to fix the lamp station as the probable starting point. Tho commission was unable to say whether ignition was by a spark from an electric wire, but tho ovidence pointed to a naked light at the lamp station. There was no neglect on the part of anybody contributing to the 420 deaths. The lamp station ought to bo placed at the bar of the shaft. Water tanks should bo fitted with a sprayer, and the use of shovels and buckets discontinued. Tho number of inspectors of mines is insufficient. •