Fight To Contain Fire In Coalfield

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30092, 28 March 1963, Page 16

Fight To Contain Fire In Coalfield

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 27. Mine-workers at Maramarua toiled from dawn until late tonight trying to stem the fire raging in old mine workings in the open-cast minefields.

Throughout the day bulldozers and carry-alls scurried back and forth across the mine pushing spoil into the blazing workings while thousands of gallons of water were played on the area.

“We are confident it will be under control by the week-end,” said the mine manager (Mr G. W. McGregor). The fire would not affect supplies of coal to the steam power station at Mercer, he said. The fire, in a 60-year-old underground mine, burst forth about 8 a.m. on Tuesday. When smoke was first noticed last Saturday, it was not regarded as dangerous, but as a precaution a dragline excavator worked from Saturday until Monday scraping away loose coal. The area affected is a twoacre spur, but Mr McGregor said it was no* possible to estimate how much of the 50.000 tons of coal it contains would be damaged. A lot could still be mined afterwards. The fire is now burning

from the main tunnel of the old workings and up through the collapsed roofs of five galleries. He hopes to have the galleries filled in and the flames smothered by the week-end. Water is no problem as an estimated million gallons a day seeps down to the bottom of the fields. This is being pumped up a'lo-inch main to the fire hoses, which are going continuously to cool the ground. The fire produces a spectacular effect at night as great gusts of flame ’eap high in the air from the fallen workings. The fire has attracted scores of spectators.