Serious Disaster at a Mine.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7964, 30 October 1905, Page 3

Serious Disaster at a Mine.

Outbreak of Fire Followed by an Explosion. Wreckage Scattered in all Directions A Terrible Scene Smoke Hampers the Rescuers. (Received Oct. 3», iU2 a.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. -'J. A disastrous exp!os<ou occurred at t-lic Stanford Mttilijr wine in the Mailland district. The explosion was preceded by a lire, which bloke out in No. * tunnel. Ihe fire was discuvernl by the uigiiieman, who, owing to its being l'ay Saluid.iv, was the < nly one in the mine at the time. The outbreak had got a good bold fcri. re it was noticed, buthe gave an immcdiale" .ilirm, .onl helpers docked in Horn all larts of the district.

Attempts to block the burning runnel failed, an l the flani'.s were scon belching fifty ieet high ;ii IV air. It was then decided tij seal the mine, and while this .'.'as ; -logi- ssing a fearful explosion, like a heavy charge of shrapnel, shook houses half a mile away and scattered wreckage in all directions. This included an immense air fan Weighing over a thousand tons, which was blown to pieces. Those engaged in th? sealing operations received the full force of the explosion and were (buried in the debrii. It was a terrible scene, the groans and cries of the wounded mingling Willi the <lin. It was some time before the smoke and dust cleared away, and rescuers got at and removed the dead ami wounded. Meantime, Doctors had been summoned, and plenty of medical aid was available. A list of those killed, so far as is known at present, gives :—H. Adams (rtirectur of the Stanford colliery), John livans and James Greener (deputies), David Jones a nd John Jones (shiftmen).

The wounded are :—O. K. Young (chairman of directors), H. M. Williams (manager), Win. Williams (under manager), 0. Leiteh, 0. Kawins, Wat Jones (deputies), Colin McKenzic, and H. Thomas (manager of the East Greta colliery).

Fire Still Racing Fiercely. • Proposal to Flood the Mine. (Received Cct. 3(1, 1.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. 29. Telegrams received to-night state, that the fire is still raging fiercely, though a large force is attempting to ehrck it. A proposal has been marie to Hood (he mine l.y turning ; , crw k j nl<) it Serious Condition of the Wounded, Smoke Pooling Fran the Mine. (Received Oct. :jn, 1.15 & . m .) SYDNEY, Oct. 29. Several oi those injured are in a serious condition. The large propoiticu of*managers and deputies amongst the killed' is accouirlMl fur In the fact of the ninu-agem.-llt of collieries coming to th.-ir assistance.' The lire was discovered early this morning. There were several minor explosions before the big 0110 which occurred just before noon. H.-scu.- operations are clelavcd l,v the dense volume of smoke that is" pouring liom the mine.