FIRE IN A MINE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2272, 16 September 1897, Page 17

FIRE IN A MINE.

A DESPERATE ' FIGHT WITH

THE FLAMES.

THREE MEN KILLED.

Sydney, September 13.

A fire broke out yesterday in the Proprietary mine at Brokeu Hill. The fire has been definitely located in the ground known as Brodribb'g, in the intermediate stopes below the 200 ft level, and immediately above the 300 ft level. A large number of men who were acquainted with the mine volunteered for service below.

The men who came up from the mine reported that they were unable to reach the seat* of the fire owing to the noxious fames from burniDg Oregon pine. Barriers have bean constructed of sandbags, and ate being used to prevent the extension of the fire, bat the work is being carried oat under great difficulty, the men being repeatedly overcome Foar doctors are in attendance on the surface, where a temporary hospital is erected. 1

Over 200 men are below fighting the fire. Fifty haye 1 been removed to tbe temporal y hospital in a half -suffocated condition. The doctors say that the symptoms are temporarily alarming, as in some instances the patient* are almost pulseless, and the strongest stimulants have to be given before relief can be experienced. The effects are generally experienced from 15 minates to an hour, and sometimes longer.

Mr Stewart, tbe general manager, and Mr Norwood, the mine manager, were prostrated once or twice, but are now batter.

Instructions have been issued that no man once prostrated is to go below again. The soenee as the men are being brought up from below and carried from the surface brake into the hospital are most pitiable. Some men are comatose, whilst others are kicking and shouting.

Pungent fumes are now spreading and coming up more strongly through Stewart's and Darling's ehaftv, and can be noticed freely down the tewa.

Wat«r is fortunately plentiful, and every means are utilised to send it below. At a late hoar last night the fire continued to gain the mastery, and all- the workers were driven out of the .200 ft levol. The fire is very similar to that in block XI two years ago, and similar steps have been taken to combat it. The worst feature has yet to be recorded. 'About 8 o'clock last night the draught underground was turned, and the 300 ft level cleared somewhat of the fumes? This enabled the party to enter the level to see whether anyone was there, as rumours were current that several men were missing. The party came on three bodies, and medical examination showed

that life had been extinct teven or eight hours. They were identified as William Knee (married) William Macalieter (single) A youth, Uhde, a stranger, vrho volunteered.

It is believed that the fire will be confined to the seat of its origin, and hopes are entertained that it will be forced up through the bottom- of Baxter and Saddler's cut, in which caee there, is good possibility of getting complete control.

The smelters being abut down has- thrown many temporarily out of employment.

LATEST INFORMATION. Immense quantities of water and steam were poured into,, the burning mine all day. The smelting and other works having been stopped to leave free every available source of water, a large number of men have been thrown idle.'

The outbreak has been located, and the smoke has greatly diminished. Steady progress is being made in confining the fire to the small area where it originated, and prospects of subduing it are hopeful. All the men who were affected by the fumes are recovering.