COLLIERY FIRE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 57, 4 September 1937, Page 15

COLLIERY FIRE

SECTION SEALED OFF

SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

(BJ*. Telegraph—Press Association.)

GREYMOUTHi September 3.

As the result pf an outbreak of fire shortly before 10 o'clock this morning, the Kitnbell #est station of the LiVe-r----pdol State Colliery at Itewahui, was cbmpiiteiy* sealed off today. The1 6ut; break was due to spontaneous combustion, and a hurried exit was made by men working in the section as soon aS the flames were discovered. Previous Warning Was given by a strong smell and materials and tools Were quickly removed from the scene.

As With the remainder of the coal produced in the Liverpool colliery, the section contains ■ bituminous Coal With large percentages df gas f ahd the outbreak soon developed into fierfie flames; Throughout the day a State mines fescue party, With the assistance tit all the shiftmen, numbering about 40, worked under difficulties to have the section sealed Off, and the work was successfully adeomplished jUst before 6 o'clock tonight. The sealing operations were directed by the mine manager, Mr. A. Smith, and Messrs. I. Tyson and I. Mossop (underviewers), after an inspection had been1 made, by Messrs; G. J: Strongman (superintendent), G- English, president, and W: Pendiebury, secretary", of th§ State Miners' Uliion» ana J. Hadeybft and Wj PWsohagej Mines IJepaftmerit' in; spectors. ... . Three banks Ire affected by the outbreak. Trouble from spontaneous combustion has been . experienced previously ih the Kinibell West section of the mine. ■ -. .■■ . . ( .. ~. -. ¥he Supefihterident Of State Mines, Mri Strongman,'stated this evening that in all probability the portioh : of. tlie Kimbeil West section sealed today Wouid not be reopened. Heating Was suspected some months ago at No.' 3 and No. 4 banks in the Kimbeil East section, about a quarter of a mile away from ' today's outbreak. Sealing ' was necessary, at the timej and no Work had Been done there since. . About 30 men are employed in the section affected. It is expected that arrangements Mil be' made to absorb them in other parts of the mine. It. is ndt kAdWri Whethei? the mine Will Work on Monday. '~ ... .' ■ ; „.„■'.. ; Production from the Kimbeil , West section is estimated at about 100 tons a day. The closing of the section will not greatiy affect the'b'utpUfi'of coal produced at Liverpool. Up till March 31, 1936, the 'Liverpool mine had produced in thirty years' lO9B,6Cldt6ttsdf bituminous coal, the figure for 193&38 being 124,015 tons. This production placed Liverpool third on the list of Dominion collieries, the financial return being the highest.