The sun., 1899-04-30
FIRE BURNING UNDER PIrTsBURG,
Dwellings Threatened by Flames In Long
Abandoned Coal Mines.

Abandoned Coal Mines.
pirrspt,Ra. Pa. April 90 The old abandoned
coal mines under Wylie avenue. In the heart OF
the residence district OF PittsburR. began 10
burn recently, and the residents are alarmed.
There are old men who were born on the hlll
and who did not know that q few feet below
their cellars spme miles Of eubterranean corri-
dors exist and 1hat the ground on which their
houses stand is supported only by few pillars
of bituminous coal The last coal was taken
from the mines seyA nty-flve years ago.
The existence OF the fire was learned only
few days ago. There WIS an explosion OF gas
one night in one of the houses in the district.
AMI two persons were found deao wheh 'he
flremen arrived. SulphurOls iumes poured
forth from crevices in the ca liar. and before
morning 1t was learned that thN coal supports
In the old mines we're burning. 80 far invesu-
cation has not shown whether tho nre IN the
mines started from an explosion OF lllutni-
mating gas which communicated flBa to the
coal. or whether the old gas or fire damp con-
fined underground caught fire from spon tane-
GUS combustion. 1t is certain. however, that
the coal is burning and several families ha ve
moved away. while others stay only becauA
they have been told that the fire may be ex
tinguished before all the underground sup
ports have been consumed.
The city authorities were at loss for ways
and means to combat the fire. The territory is
thckly settled and the old entries extend sew
eral miles underground. The location of the
pit mouths has been lost owing to the lack of
engineering records which were carelessly
kept in the early days of coal mining in this
neiGhborhood, The entrances to the mines are
all built over with houses so that it is now i'm
possible to find place whore lire-tighters can
start Systematically at work.
Robert Blick. a State mining inspector. was
called into consultation by the city authorities.
He has had considerable experience in the
management of the big fires which have de-
vastated mines in tho Pittsburg coal district
occasionally for some years back. Blick went
over the ground carefully and studied the situ-
alton from tho standpoint Of an expert. 1t was.
he said. pcrplexing. and tho work of putting
out the fire must necessarily be attended by
great danger to the workmcn. Before Blick
arrived a two-inch hole had been bored
through the sidewalk. and a steady column of
smoke poured out of the hole. which is about
eighteen feet deep. Blick decided that as tho
old entrances could not be found, a new shaft
would have to be dug, Just as II new mine
was being opened. One shaft was started
in tho back yard OF q house on Wyle
avenue. and another was begun the next
day in the street in front of the house. Tho
theory is that the fire ia underneath the house
and that men entering from shafts in opposite
directions will be able to eXtinguish the blaze.
If the fire should be burning further away the
old corridors can befoilowed until il is reached
1t is not considered safe to do any work near
the two-inch vent. as the house Is already ont
of plumb and the walls might tumhle down at
any time The shafts will he shored nm with
heavy timbers to resist the pressure of ths
ground. covered as il is with dwelling houses
Practical coal miners have been emnlovad
tha donper from arstaun exnlosions M nnted