Durham Mining Museum - Newspaper Articles (original) (raw)

20th September 1930, Page: 69, Column: 1

Castleford Colliery Explosion

A shot fired in the coal face has been found to be the cause of the explosion at Allerton Bywater Colliery, Castleford, on March 10, when five men were killed. In his report on the accidentMr. E. H. Frazer, Divisional Inspector of Mines, says :—

"The explosion was one of firedamp, very slightly extended by coal dust. The initiating cause was the projection of flame or burning particles from a shot in the coal face.

"Circumstantial evidence, which is the only evidence available, points to the conclusion that the examinations for firedamp could not have been made to the full extent required by the Explosives in Coal Mines Order.

Owing to the presence of breaks in the roof near the shot-hole, which could not be examined properly, the shot was one which should not have been fired. The provisions of the Explosives in Coal Mines Order regarding the thorough treatment with stone dust or water of the vicinity of shot-holes were not observed by the shot-firer."

Two of the conclusions of the Inspector are :—

"I believe that the simple explanation was the correct one, namely, that a mixture of firedamp and air had gathered in the workings.

"The fact that the deputy was found lying dead on two electric lamps and his oil safety-lamp suggests to me the possibility that he lost his light before firing the last shot and, having examined the ripping once, decided to complete the shot-firing rather than go 300 yards to fetch his spare lamp."