WORST IN BRITAIN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8690, 16 October 1913, Page 5

WORST IN BRITAIN.

MACHINERY BLOWN. TO

FRAGMENTS

(Per Press Association—Copyright).

LONDON, October 15

Senghenydd;;a village embosomed in a quiet Welsh, valley, was the scene of a disaster which will have no parallel in Britain; ,if. the worst fears are realised. .■■■--.. i

One hundred and thirty-five men descended the pit at "6 o'clock in the morning. Two hours later .Va noise of a terrific explosion rent the silence of the valley.

A great, column of smoke shot from the pit-mouth. The-machinery at the pit-head was: blown to fragments, and

heavy iron plates' were twisted into grotesque shapes and scattered in every direction. ■■■■•'.

The ' explosion 'occurred at the west pit intake airway, 100 yards from the bottom down past the shaft, and was followed by fire. ■

The only hope for the 400 entombed miners lies in the. possibility df a heavy fall of the , roof cutting off the fire. '..-..';

A thousand miners flocked from adjoining districts to succour their comrades,, and rescuers fearlessly descended the blazing pit.