Fire, Explosions In Coal Mine

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29748, 15 February 1962, Page 14

Fire, Explosions In Coal Mine

INew Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, February 14 A fierce fire in a Benneydale coal mine nearly overcame seven fire-fighters and miners 900 ft below the surface late this morning. The men were knocked oft their feet and almost blinded with smoke and gas when three explosions at the seat of the fire blasted searing heat along the shaft about 10 30 a m.

Reports received tonight said the men followed firefighting hose lines out of the mine to safety Two of the men, Messrs W Christie, a winch driver, and E. Archibald, a mine deputy, were rushed to the Te Kuiti Hospital suffering from gas inhalation and shock

Mr Christie was given oxysen at the pit head and on tha way ’ hospital in an ambulance. The condition of both tonight was satisfactory The others, considerably shaken up, were treated on the spot and some later returned to the mine to con tinue fighting the blaze. It broke out about midnight on Tuesday and a special Mines Department squad of seven men was sent to the scene The squad arrived at the mine about 10 a m. and some members were in the mine at the time of the explosions. A miner who had fought

ures in the mine last year when fire fighters could stay at the face for only a few minutes because of the intense heat said this fire was worse.

“It's the worst there has been and we’ve had several here.” he said

Using water under pressure, the men fought the fire throughout the day although all were forced to make frequent trips to the surface for relief from the heat and smoke.

Early tonight a decision was made by officials on the p.ace t< seal the mile off near the surface. About 9.30 residents in Ben ney dale, two miles east of the mine, said vast clouds of smoke were still coming from it.