MILLERTON MINE FIRE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 447, 4 March 1909, Page 6

MILLERTON MINE FIRE.

STATEMENT BY THE CENERAL MANAGER. WAITING FOR RAIN. (DI TELEGIUriI—I'IIKSS ASSOCIATION.) Wostport, March 3. There have been no further developments in connection with the Millerton mine fire.

According to Mr. Geo. Joachim, general tnanagor of the Wcstport Coal Co., who< is .it present in Wellington, some of tlio statements published in reference to the fire are (lot qui to correct. Mr. Joachim states that tho liro was first discovered in the Mine Creek area at about 6 o'clock on Sunday morning, when smoko was seen issuing from one of tlio openings, which discovery was immodiately reported to tlio oilieiiils. No 0110 was in tho mine at the time. Tlio local and mine managers wcro soon 011 tlio spot, and endeavoured to locate tho fire, hut tho smoke was so dense that 110 near approach could be got to it. Eventually 011 arrival of tho district manager (Mr. Dixon) from Denniston, by manipulating tlio fan drafts these officials were able to approach near enough to soo tho fire. By that time, however, it had got too much hold for any local application of water to ho made. The falling timbers ablaze and the falling coal made it too dangerous to attempt anything locally. It was then decided to close all the en'tranccß aid prevent air_ getting to tho fire. Tlio officials worked in a choking atmosphere all day Sunday and all night until tho work of scaling up the mine was effected. By the timo the directors and general manager arrived 011 the scene 011 Monday morning most of tho work had been done, but they wcro able to ascertain for themselves, by going near 0110 of tho exits, not quito closod up, what a pungent atmosphere tho officials had been working in for so long a timo. Tho local manager, Mr. Dunn, was nearly overcomo by it, and all wore much in need of rest, but tliey stood manfully to tho work until everything that it was'possiblo to do had been done to prevent tho firo from spreading. Happily, although tho atmosphere was so oppressive, no loss of life occurred, and all praise is duo to the officials headed by Messrs. Dixon and Dunn for their promptitude and untiring labours in dealing with the difficulties. There are several exits from tho mine for men, but only 0110 for tlio coal. Tho fire occurred in a place underneath tlio terminal wheel of the main haulage road, and when tho men working in the new tunnel left at 11.30 p.m. oq Saturday they must have walked close over the place where the fire took rise, but noticed nothing of it. It is not known yet how tho firo .originated, but it is supposed that someone must have accidentally dropped a light, in some material 011 Saturday and that it smouldered all night and then burst into flame. The ventilating fans wore running, and this, of course, would tend to increase tho flames. All tho openings a,ro now sealed, and tho last report Mr, Joachim had before leaving was that black damp could bo detected at one of tlio drives. This is considered a good sign, showing that probably tho extension of tlio firo is now stopped. It now remains to flood tho area affected, and, fortunately, this is situated in a dish which will admit of flooding the firo area without affecting tho whole mine. The fire being situated in "the Mine Creek section, docs not affect tho new Mangatini area, which is separated by a gully and crook. Tho drainage drivo lias been dammed up, and all the available water stopped back, but owing to tho long spell of dry weather all the creeks are very low, and sufficient water cannot be got until rain comes. When sufficient water is available the firo area must bo flooded and remain untouched for at least a fortnight. After tho mine i> opened, probably another fortnight will bo required to set matters right and start work again. Tlio heat was so intense that tho main haulago rope parted and let the mine tubs away, but beyond this and tho usual disorder which flooding always causes it is not anticipated that there will be any serious damage done. Of the 500 men thrown out of work about 20 will bo employed at Denniston, but it is not anticipated that tlio output from that mino can exceed 13,000 tons per fortnight. 'Nothing further can be dono but to watch carefully every access to tho mine and seo that 110 air gets in (which tlio officials aro well qualified and most anxious to do), and wait for rain.