BRUNNERTON COAL PIT ON FIRE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 9538, 3 November 1892, Page 2

BRUNNERTON COAL PIT ON FIRE.

MEN ALL GOT OUT SAFELY. [r'KR PRESS ASSOCMTIOtf.]

Brunnerton, November 3.— The Coalpit Ueath shaft hero is on fire. Shortly after four yesterday afternoon, clouds of black smoke were seen ascending the shaft, which is also tho return nir shaft. At first the men could scarcely realise such was the case, but soon it was evident that the matter was serious, and the men wore called out of the mine. Tho Engineer and Mine Manager went below, and did all they could to confine tho firo The fans were stopped, and everything possible done to exclude the air from the bottom shaft There being no engine hero tho Greymouth one waa sent for, and arrived with full staff of men. At 5.30 the wood work on top of the shaft took firo, but tho poppet head and buildings surrounding it were saved. The men were lined down the faco of a steep rock to the river, who passed up buckets filled from the same. The great bulk of the residents are gathered at the ri 's mouth, and relief was felt when it was ascertained that all the men were safely out of the mine The accident will throw a large body of men out of work, for it la expected the pumps which ascend tho shaft will be useless. So far as known at present, the firo is confined to the shaft and bottom of same. The Brigade engine had to be lowered down a precipitou-. bank to ths river side, and at 8 p.m. was throwing water in the shaft. The smoke is not so dense, and at present is more like steam Tho bucket men have so far saved the buildings. At midnight the fre in the Coalpit Heath mine was confined to the bottom of tho shaft. Tho steam fire engine is expected to extinguish the firo shortly. The damage, it is expected, will be only trifling, and can be repaired in a few days. Too much praise cannot be given to firemen and all connected with tho engine. Later. — The Greymouth Firo Brigade, with their new engine, did grand wont. Two lines o£ hose were run to the burning shaft, and aro being taken intn the mine by way of the drive in charge of fir.-men. The water supply is splendid. The men stuck tj the work, g mely following the firo in tne drives, ably seconded by tho mine men will) Uo manual engines, until tho column of water beg n to have an effect. It is not known how the firo started, but it is thought it bsgan at the edge of tho shaft, where tha pumping engines aro stationed. Tho firo is now practicilly out The damage cannot be estimated, but it will bo considerable. The mine belongs to the Grey Valley Coal Company, and was bought by them from Mr Joseph Taylor tome years ago. The upper levels wero well worked, but the dip called Kimbarly contains a 111 1 st valuable seam of coal, and is practically unworke '. Thu manager takes immediate measures to estimate tho dumage, and tako such other steps as m.iy be found no essaiy to enable nn earl}' start to be made. Without doubt, if it had not been for the new engine of tho Grey Firo Biigade the mine would be binning now, and practically lost.