FIRE AT MINE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 February 1942, Page 2

FIRE AT MINE

BURKE’S CREEK LOSS

The engine-house, engine, electrical equipment, haulage machinery and bath-house of the Burke's Creek Colliery, near Reefton, were totally destroyed by lire on. Saturday evening Sixty men are employed at the mine, which largely supplies the Christchurch market with household coal but efforts are being made to provide temporary work lor the emnlovees in the upper levels of the mine until the destroyed buildings and machinery can be replaced. M hen the workmen left the mine early i the afternoon, everything was in older, although bush fires were burning on the hills some distance away, lhe fire was not discovered until about 10 30 p.m, when it had practically burnt itself out. and there was no indication as to the cause. It is unde - stcod that only small insurances weie carried by the Company. Arrangements were made some time ago for the Grey Electric Power Board to supply power to the Ltrike s Creek mine. The new line, Hom Slab 'Hut dredge to Burke’s Creek, about 101 miles, has been surveyed and the necessary poles and other equipment is on han.d. In view of the destruction of the existing machinery at the mine, the new power line is to be constructed as rapidly as possible, the time required lor the work depending upon the labour available.