FIRE IN MT. SOMERS COAL MINE
SECTION NOW SEALED OFF
The fire which broke out in the Mount Somers coal mine in the Ashburton Gorge early last week was under control on Saturday. The fire, in a section of the mine estimated to contain between 1000 and 2000 tons of coal, will not affect the production of the mine.
The manager of the mine (Mr R. R. Beckley) said yesterday that temporary wooden stopping to seal off the section of the mine affected by the fire had been erected, and it was hoped to finish work on permanent concrete stopping by Monday. Progress on the work was slow because material had to be drawn in to the mine up a grade of one in five by horse, and only small quantities could be taken in at one time.
The fire was in a different section to that which caught fire three years ago, he said. There* was a good flow of water in the mine, and by sealing off the section effectively the water should bank up and eventually put out the fire. It was hoped to be able to retrieve the coal in the burning section in about 12 months.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19530720.2.120
Bibliographic details
Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27096, 20 July 1953, Page 10
Word Count
201FIRE IN MT. SOMERS COAL MINE Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27096, 20 July 1953, Page 10
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
Log in