SERIOUS FIRE AT COAL CREEK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 5967, 7 August 1912, Page 3

SERIOUS FIRE AT COAL CREEK.

MCPHERSON'S PIT BURNING. On Tuesday a serious fire broke out in Messrs McPherson Bros.' coalpit at Coal Creok. In the morning a little smoke was noticed in one of the drives on the top level which on investigation proved to be coming from some smouldering debris. The water was turned into the race as soon as possible with the intention oi putting it out, but on returning in about an hour or so the works were found to 'be ablaze. The coal boing dry and there being a good draught it was not long bofore masses of llame were belching forth from the drives, leaping in the ah' to the top of the face, which is a considerableheight. All efforts to get the (ire uiv der were unavailing and for two days the pit was a seething mass oi flame. Explosives were used to break up the clay overlying the ~cam oi coal, the water being turned into the cracks so that the loosened material might bo washed over the faoe to cover up the mouths of the drives and thus prevent the air getting in. On Thursday afternoon this ivsidt- Was partly effected, as a large fall of earth came away and covered up all the drives but one, which was covered in on the following day. As far as outward appearances go the lire is cut off but it is questionable when the burning inside will cease, as it may smoulder for an indefiniteperiod. This will mean considerable loss to the proprietors, for besides the actual damage by the fire there is a large quantity of rails in the works and these will probably be rendered useless by the heal.,