THE KEMBLA DISASTER

Evening Star, Issue 11893, 22 May 1903, Page 6

THE KEMBLA DISASTER

THE COMMISSION'S FINDING. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, May 22. ~ (Received May 22, at 9.55 a.m.) The Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the Kembla disaster find that it was caused by a " f all " in 35 acres of waste, which drove an inflammable mixture of firedamp and air down the risrht main level in the northern extremity The mass reached a wheeler's light in an over-diluted state, but as soon as ihe mixture was rich enough to burn and came in contact with a light the flash flame ran back, starting its destructive action by igniting the whole body, which was made more violently explosive by the presence of coal dust raised by the first blast Thus the centre of force showed itself at the centre of the explosion, and not at the i<rnition point. This conclusion is at variarj.ee with the finding: at the coroner's inquiry. The Commission also found that the work of inspection of "wastes" was perfunctory. Instead of being performed weekly \they were performed monthly. They thought that Rogers, wbo*e duty it was to see this done, was deservinc of censure, and it was regrettable that this breach of rules had escaped the notice of the Government inspectors. The n*e of naked light* is condemned. It could be -a'd with absolute certainty that if these had not been used the disaster would have been prevented.