IRON
AND
COAL
AND
COAL
DETECTION OF THE FIRE
At about 23.30 hours on Saturday, 6th February. 1971 the South pit deputy had arrived at the bunker heading on the South pit bottom where he observed smoke. He returned via the "roof up" to the 420 pumphouse at North pit bottom. (See Fig. 5).
The 420 pumphouse was situated a few hundred yards from pit bottom at the 420 yds level and was also connected via two airdoors to a man-riding landing in the South (downcast) shaft.
The 420 pumphouse was situated a few hundred yards from pit bottom at the 420 yds level and was also connected via two airdoors to a man-
There the 420 pumpsman told this Deputy that at about 23:30 hours both he and the No 8 pumpsman had noticed the lights flickering and at 23:45 hours the No. 8 pumpsman had asked him if everything was all right as he could detect smoke.
The No8 pumphouse was located between the two shafts at a distance of *************
The No8 pumphouse was located between the two shafts at a distance of *************
The No. 8 pumpsman then rang the North pit banksman and asked if there was anything wrong on the surface and was told that everything was in order.
The smoke appeared to be getting thicker so he again rang the 420 pumpsman who, on this occasion, opened the separation doors between the pumphouse and the upcast shaft where he found dense smoke.
EMERGENCY ORGANIZATION
At the same time the fan attendant/telephone operator had also noticed smoke in the fan drift and immediately informed the Manager and Assistant Manager, both of whom arrived promptly at the colliery. The manager was to put into operation the full emergency organization and the assistant manager was to proceed immediately underground to ensure that all men were accounted for and return to the surface.
The fumes now being emitted from the evasee suggested that a substantial fire was burning underground and from the evidence of the Deputy, somewhere in the South pit.
An evasee is a************************************
The North pit Deputy had recently traversed the returns on the north side of the pit where there was no trace of smoke.
Initial Investigations
At 03:30 hours on Sunday 7th February, a rescue team with senior colliery officials and members of the Mines Inspectorate travelled the North shaft and by means of the "roof up" to the bunker heading on the
At the same time the fan attendant/telephone operator had also noticed smoke in the fan drift and immediately informed the Manager and Assistant Manager, both of whom arrived promptly at the colliery. The manager was to put into operation the full emergency organization and the assistant manager was to proceed immediately underground to ensure that all men were accounted for and return to the surface.
The fumes now being emitted from the evasee suggested that a substantial fire was burning underground and from the evidence of the Deputy, somewhere in the South pit.
An evasee is a************************************
The North pit Deputy had recently traversed the returns on the north side of the pit where there was no trace of smoke.
Initial Investigations
At 03:30 hours on Sunday 7th February, a rescue team with senior colliery officials and members of the Mines Inspectorate travelled the North shaft and by means of the "roof up" to the bunker heading on the
