COLLIERY DISASTER

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 463, 3 July 1937, Page 5

COLLIERY DISASTER

EXPLOSIONS AT FACE THREE KILLED OUTRIGHT Rescue Party Overcome By Fumes Of Second Explosion Press Association—Copyright. (Received 10.30 a.m.) London, July 2. Fire caused an explosion in the working face of the Holditch main colliery at Chesterton, North Staffordshire, killing three and injuring thirteen, one of whom died in Hospital. During rescue operations and the sealing up of the affected area a second explosion occurred, involving 18 men who included mine officials and inspectors. Four members of the rescue team were overcome by gas. All these are trapped in the pit from which their recovery alive is believed to be hopeless.

There were 200 men underground when «a. sheet of flame from the neighbourhood of the coal-cutting machinery caused a stampede. A count disclosed that two men were left behind and cut off the fire. An overseer, although lacking a respirator, tried vainly to reach them, but they perished. Three were killed by the first explosion.

The second explosion occurred three hours later, while the rescue work was in full swing. Flames desperately hampered the work. Lorries- rushed tons of sand to the pit to seal off the burning area, and ten rescue teams worked until midnight. But though it is understood that the fire was smothered, the heat prevented access to the acual scene of the disaster.