FIRE IN COAL MINE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1809, 16 July 1906, Page 2

FIRE IN COAL MINE.

EESCUE OF ENTOMBED MEN,

(Per Press Association.) Dunedin, last night. A fire broke out shortly after 3 o’oloob on Saturday morniDg in the Molynesux Uoal Company’s mine, about two miles from Alexandra. There were four men working in the mine at the time—Samuel Ohurohul, William King, Michael Keane, ana Archibald .Bruce. All were single except Churchill, who has a wife and family. The fire was first noticed by B. •Burgess, engine drivor, who shut off steam as a warning to tho men below. Getting no signal in return, he at once summoned aid. He lowered his brother down the shaft, but the smoke was eo dense that he had to hoist him up before he had gone_ far. The fireboll was then rung by which time the shaft was ablaze, o staging and poppet heads being on are. People from the town and dredge hands hastened to the scene of the fire, aad systematio attempts were made to rescue the entombed msD, from whom signals were reoeived, showing that they were all alive. As al! efforts to penetrate into the mine . I°,' 0 Chokes brigade was first organl 1 °T Ur WBtsr (3own tha shaft. Then about 200 men set to work to divert the water race which supplies tho borough wffh water, so as to flood out tho fire. ni ,- !iu' saw tillß work accomplished, ir a^°C Pumps had beongot to work, t was seen that tho fire was under conrno\ -Determined efforts were made to t-n J? i*? D ? Bn » and of rescuers rmnw V h ° of ‘he shaft, but were unable to go further. ‘ oul ’ 0 clock in the afternoon tho lira had been subdued, • "F 10 . rcsc uers penetrated a distance of , . ce * ; > hut owing to the heat and had au-, could only remain below for a few moments.

.‘’“tombed men continued signalling) cii'orta 1S lns^red t^lc rescuers to renewed

About fj.JO one of the rescuers brought f re P° r t that the fire was all out, and tnat the men were safe. They had orected fV.„- ainel '’ and kept the fire back from ir quarters. It was expected that the n would be brought out within an hour or so.

Ashworth, one of the rescuers, was badly ahected b.y fire damp. Intimation came to hand to-day that all , bad been safely rescued at II o c ock last night, and appeared not likely s uller from the effects of the trying n"n? e i UGIIC ?' '^ lo brave rescuers have also M- n Ul xr re^ ovoi 'od from the effects. Drccn, Inspector of mines, , Dunedin on news of the fire, leacned the mine in time to see the men rescued. 1 ....