The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-16
FIRE AGAIN BREAKS OUT In
THE COAL NINE AT CHERRY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE u

| CONTINUED FROM PAGE u
| the exploration continued. Then the
blast of the horn signalling the as
! cent echoed through the shaft. Slow
| ly the cage was raised.
This time the explorers reported that
! they had been walking in one of the
veins of the mine for $50 feet from
the base of the shaft, and that they
, had found no living man or dead body.
| The atmosph ere in this vein was con-
siderably better than had been ex-
pected and with the aid of their cleo
| trio lanterns the searchers could see
plainly.
In other veins leading from the shaft
much smoke was encountered and MOTH
ing could be seen. A consultation of off,
cials followed and 1t was determined to
start the ventilating fan at the opposite
side of the mine.
What will be the result?' was the
question in the minds of nearly every
man on the ground as the big fan was
started whirling. Some believed that IL
might arouse a slumberng fire. Others
felt assured that the fire had been smoth-
cred and that ventilation would clear the
galleries and make them passable for the
searchers
Fan Is Shut Down.
| In half an hour the fan was suddenly
ordered shut down. Smoke began to pour
! from the main shaft. Immediately the
experts were lowered again to investi-
gate the cause of the increased smoke.
AS the armored searchers descended they
repeatedly sgnalled for a halt. Their
I progress toward the bottom was slow
and cautions. Suddenly a loud blast
/ came.
Raise her up" shouted Newsam,
''raise her fast" he repeated when a Sec
ond signal was given.
| The experts were jerked to the sur
face and gave orders for fire hose. Fire
men of the mine were called out and
the hose taken down into the shaft. Water
was turned on and few minutes later
i the searchers came again to the top.
/ They reported that a blaze had been
discovered in the stable portion of the
mine, where the original fire had &C.
CURED. There had been no trace of this
blaze on trips that the experts had made
/ previous to the starting OF the fan. They
thought they could put the blaze out
with line of fire hose.
Second Attempt Made.
A second attempt was made to drown
| the fire, but lack of water pressure made
success doubtful. At 2 o'clock dense
clouds of smoke were pouring out. The
heat around the shaft which before had
been normal, was now excessive For
the experts to re-enter the mine was i'm
possible.
BY this time G. F. Rice of Pittsburg
of the United States Geological survey
had reached the scene. The mine in
spectors had become alarmed and the
shaft was sealed with steel sheets and a
heavy layer of sand.
Men and women with loved ones in the
mine turned away in despair.
For an hour after the sealing of the
shaft and the assurance that no further
search could be made until the fire had
been extinguished. the streets were filled
with men and women whose eyes were
dimmed with tears and whose faces ex-
pressed utter hopelessness.
To fght the fire was determined upon
and orders for water pumps, a fire engine
| and trainloads of water tank cars were
hurriedly given. From La Sale, H., a
fire engine arrived tonight on a special
1 train.
Meanwhile the fire ragged in the mine
and some experts fear that it will spread
through the coal mines, thus burning out
all the timber supports and causing fur
Their caving in.
Flames Restrained.
Inspector Taylor, who was one of the
discoveries of the renewed fire, announced
that the flames had not spread beyond the
President A. j. Earring of the Chicago,
Milwaukee and st. Paul to exclaim:
IF that is SO. then the men, if they
are alive, are just well off now as
they were had the second outbreak not
occurred"
The plan to perforate the lid or seal
over the mouth and force steam and car
bonic acid gas through pipes to the bot
tom of the pit may be tried tomorrow.
Various opinions are expressed as to the
probable effect. Chief j. w. Paul of
the governments mine rescue work said
the chemical would have a tendency to
quickly smother out the fire and would
penetrate to every corner.
| Mr.. Mcdonald of the miners union was
| of the opinion that quantity of carbonic
acid gas sufficient to put out fire GER
tainly would extinguish human life, il
any existed in the mine.
Funerals Are Held.