A COLLIERY EXPLOSION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8132, 30 November 1904, Page 2

A COLLIERY EXPLOSION.

» FORTY MEN KILLED. (Per Mail Steamer at Auckland.) TRINIDAD (Colorado), Oct. 28. The most terrific explosion in the history of coal mining in Colorado occurred at mine No. 3 of the Rocky Mountain Jb'tiel and Iron Company, Teroio, to-day. Forty men are believed to be dead, although the exact number killed may never be known, as the mine is burning, and bodies are likely to be cremated. The shaft in which the accident occurs works eighty men. Spectators say the explosion was preceded by a low, rumbling sound. "I looked toward the mine, says one, "and out of the mouth of the tunnel and two air shafts came a great volume of smoke and dust, which continued for nearly a minute. Timbers two to three feet in diameter were shot into the air, and splintered rocks were thrown a distance of a quarter of a mile. The "^plosion; which was like a volcanic eruption, was followed by scenes of wild excitement. Women whose husbands .were in the mine had to be dragged away to save them from the deadly fumes."