MILLERTON COLLIERY FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 55, 5 March 1909, Page 5

MILLERTON COLLIERY FIRE.

— ii m — ■ — STATEMENT BY THE GENERAL ' MANAGER. Mr. George Joachim, general manager of the Westport Goal Company, on his return to Wellington from Westport yesterday, was interviewed regarding the Miller ton fire, He said:—"The fire was first discovered in the Nine Creek area on Sunday morning at about 6 o'clock, •by smoke issuing from one of the openings, and was immediately reported to the officials. No one was in the mine at the time. The local and mine managers were soon on the spot and endeavoured to locate it, but the smoke - was so dense that no near approach could be got to it. Eventually, on arrival of the district manager, Mr. Dixon, from Derinistoh, by manipulating the fan drafts these officials were able to approach near enough |to see it. By that time, however, it had got too much hold for any local I application of water to be made. The falling timbers ablaze and the falling coal made it too dangerous for human life to attempt anything locally. It was then decided to close all the entrances and prevent air getting to the fire. The officials' worked all day Sunday and all night in a choking atmosphere, until the work 6f sealing up was effected. By .the time the directors . and general manager arrived on the scene on Monday morning most of the work had been done, but they were able to ascertain for themselves, by going, near one of the exits not quite closed up, what a pungent atmosphere the officials had been, working in for so long a time. The local manager, Mr. Dunn, was nearly overcome by it; and all were much in need of rest, but they all stood manfully to the work until everything that it was possible to do had been done to prevent the- fire from spreading. Happily, although the atmosphere was so oppressive, no loss of life has occurred, and all praise is due to the officials, headed by Messrs. Dixon and Dtinh, for their promptitude and untiring labours in dealing with the difficulties."