New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-15
MANY COLLIERS KILLED.
DISASTROUS EXPLOSION IN AN ENGLISH
COAL NINE

PlT-TIE LOSS OF LIFE MAY REACH FIFTY
London, Dee. IA fenrful explosion occurred
to-day at the Banfurlong Co,liery, Wigan, and not
less than fifty lives are thought to have been lost.
The men went to their work as usual this morn
ing and nfter the cOlliery had been inspected in
the usual way. They had not lccn at wO k long
when terrible explosion shook the earth for Il
great distance, and cloud of smoke shot up
through the shaft into the air \ multitude of
people rushed toward the mine and the greatest en-
element prevailed 1t was soon asccrtained that n
large number had pcrishcd, and the wanc ana
weeping of women and children made an iudc-
scribable scene. Steps were Immediately taken
to ascertain the full extent Of the disaster, and
a crowd of volunteers promptly offered to eX-
pore the pit. II is believed that the explosion
was caused by accumulated coal gas which had
escaped the notice Of the official charged viii, tne
inspection of the mine.
Later advices from WiQan state that the loss
Of life may be less serious than at first report ID.
The situation is. however most critical. Many
still remain in the mine with their lives
endangered Fire followed the explosion making
il extremely difficult for rescucrs to get at the
imprisoned miners.
Notwithstanding the fire and other obstacles.
the work of rescue proceeded, and volunteers were
not deferred by danger or difficulty in their eff
forts TO save their fcllow-mincrs from terrible
death. Hundreds of women and Children sur
rounded the mouth of the mine, waiting anx-
iously for news OF fathers, husbands, brothers
and sons. Some of the women volunteered 10
assist in the work of rescue, but their assistance
was not required No effort was spared to put
out the fire and bring the men to the surface.
Until this is accomplished the loss OF lite viii be
difficult to estimate.
Twenty miners have been brought up by the
rescuers. The remainder are still impriTcned
below The rescued men were in an exhausted
condition when brought TO the top As each
came TO the surface the women and children
crowded around. and those who recognized their
relatives overwhelmed them with carcsscs. The
men who are still below are imprisoned in
seam that is under where the fire r'> ing.
Strong hopes are entertained that many OF them
Will ne rescued alive. Despite the Efforts 10
eXtinguish the fire, the flames spread 10 the
engine house at the head OF the air tunnel. This
stopped the pumping OF air into the mine ana
added greatly to the peril Of those WHO were
i'll the pit. The fire not suDducd until
o'clock this afternoon Some little time after
the bodies of twcIty of the miners who had been
suifOcated by the rONiOus gasScs generated III
the mine after the explosion were brought to
the surface Is tie reScnlng parties. ihouSh
the work is extremely dangerous the exploration
of the workings is continued in IN" hope that
some of the miners in the pit at the time ol
the explosion have reached places of safety, where
they awaiting the approach Of the rcscn"rs
The rescue parties report horribl" scenes IN
the mine. In the main roads the bodies Ii II
twos and threcs. as tie men fell, faces downwa~l
and heads toward the entrance Of the shalt.
Large sections Of the roof and gaNc:e, havt r' !,
laINed. Amil the rims were fOurd mdnel a
10 les and halfburlei limbs. The debris has
Blocked many parts of The mine, and tleieior"
the men searching for bodies are unable to give
any definite idea of the number | st.
Several miners who wrre just II i've when found
died on their way to the surface OF soon after
being taken from the car. One nscde p'rty
reached the surface half sufiocated bv the heat
and smoke cause by fresh outbreaks OF tie NE
The rescued miners believe at the eN lo'ion
was caused by sparks from the cnginc-lous
which is said to have CAUGHT FIRE few minute,
before the explosion. Mn were sent throggil the
| nearest the SHIFT escaped. The miners who
worked further from tie shaft tri~i 10 n,h
| through fire and smoke ard were suilOcatcd IN
| the effort The work OF rescue VIII lc CONT mel
| through the night, although thcr' i lite hope
that more men will be taken out a i've.