A FIERY GRAVE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1581, 21 October 1881, Page 2

A FIERY GRAVE.

The Westphalian papers give an account of a terrible catastrophe which occurred in the north-western part of th.it province on the 18th instant. There has been for some time in operation in the neighborhood, of Solingen, not far from Barmen, a strange phenomenon. A part of the soil of a hilly heath became excessively hot, so much so that some people living close by availed themselves of the heat for domestic purposes. The explanation suggested was that some inflammable subterranean gas, or perhaps petroleum, had been accidentally set on fire. Some water had Keen brought to ihe spot by an artificial channel ; but its contact with the burning soil had only produced violent explosions, which seemed to shatter all the ground around. Yesterday week some persons drove out in a cni-ringe fiom Remscheid to inspect the spot. When arrived at a distance of about a quarter of an English mile, they heard a strange rumbling noise, which so terrifiel the horses that they had to alight, and send the cairiage back some distance. They walked on, discussing the likelihood of any danger, when suddenly a space of the

'"* .. . *' ' _ _'_ —■—*—iVw'l" il ii mjfjn .i'f i-ula hill-side about 100 metres square opened disclosing a gulf of liquid fire, and throwing vip flames. The house wheie the family mentioned above lived was at once surrounded by the flames, and was, hefore their eyes, swallowed np iri the liquid fiery caldron at their feet, apparently.feeding the flames Its ig known that several persons were in the house at the time; none were saved; but it has not been ascertained how many perished.