MINERS ENTOMBED.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 43, 14 October 1912, Page 5

MINERS ENTOMBED.

AT NORTH MOUNT LYELL. FIRE SPREADS QUICKLY. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (.Doited Press Association.) Hobart, October 12. A hundred men have been entombed in the North Mount Lyell Mine, as tire result of a lire, since noon on Saturday. Th lire occurred on the 700 feet level, and was caused by tire blowing out of a water pump. The flames quickly spread to the chamber house, which is lined with inflammable wood and stored with oily waste and bagging. Thence it spread to the ore body, which ignited. The lire spread with alarming quickness, and the smoke permeated the various workings, where 150 men were employed. FIFTY REACH SURFACE. BATTLED THROUGH SMOKE. Hobart, October 13. The alarm quickly spread, and numbers of men escaped by the cage, about fifty reaching the surface, assisted by the heroic efforts of some miners who battled through the smoke. News of the outbreak was sent to Queenstown, and doctors and other helpers quickly arrived, including many men from the Mount Lyell Mine. THE WORK OF RESCUE. Rescue parties are at work under the directions of the general manager and the engineer of the Lyell Mine. Compressed air at the rate of 7000 feet a minute is being pumped into the workings, and other urgent efforts are being made to save the entombed men. “GIVE US MORE AIR." Hobart, October 13. A telephone message received from the 1000 ft. level said, "For God’s sake give us more air.” Dense volumes of smoke are issuing from the main tunnel. There is a big crowd round the mine. At last reports four men had been rescued from the 500 ft. level, which is regarded as about the worst position Torn the point of view of smoke. This lends hope that most or all will he rescued. RESCUERS DRIVEN BACK. NINETY-THREE STILL ENTOMBED Latest reports are less hopeful. One lead body has been found in the 500 ft. level. The rescuers were then driven hack by the smoke. • ■ When; the alarm was: given;:.’72:had ’scaped, but 93 are still entombed. ONE OF THE RESCUED. i of the rescued, interviewed, said that he was working in the 850 feet level. At crib time on Sliftirday? hel whs t startled cries of “Fire!” The smoke was soon so dense that.they were unable to see. He and i number of others groped their way to the cage. When being drawn up the smoke was so thick that they were almost choked, and had to cling together to prevent their falling. He had grave fears for those in the lower levels. The only chance was to get to the dead-end and use the air being pumped in. One cage is working as luickly as possible to act as a pump drawing out the smoke. THE WORK OF HEROES. Gangs are removing the filling of some of the passes to allow more air to enter. Hobart, October 13. Strenuous rescue work was unremittingly continued throughout last night. To-day a hundred miners flocked from surrounding districts. As one party retired exhausted many other were ready to replace them, and made desperate and heroic efforts to penetrate the deadly fumes arising from the ore. A magnificent spirit of splendid devotion is being displayed. SCENES AT THE PIT MOUTH. The scene at the mine is pathetic. Strong men with tear-stained faces are standing in groups, hoping for the host. Streams of people from the surrounding townships have gathered at the mouth of the mine. D.vers’ suits are being obtained, and will be utilised for penetrating the lower level. THE WORST FEARED. Chemists and mine officials hold the > view that the men at the bottom levels have a chance of escape, as the tendency of the poisonous fumes is to rise, not to descend, though they admit that the chance is slender. It is now feared that the loss of life will be heavy. The fire is still spreading.