New Britain herald., 1928-02-10
FIRES IN MINES
 ARE KEPT GLOWING
%, % New 1928 Merchandise at Economy Prices
Engineer Thinks "Brtahine Rocks" Keeps Flames Alive
BY JOHN L COOLEY

N<hoSVSANSVu AAO~e ANAVSSAsU AS~e~SAS
 Cambridge. Mass. Feb. 1o.-N- Breathing rocks keep alive the hres that sometimes rage in deep mines for years after all apparent air sup bly has been shut off and tho works Hooded. This is tho opinion of Pro- lessor W. Spencer Hutchinson. in- ternationally known mining en- xtneer and head of the department bf mining and metallurgy at Mas sAchusetts Institute of Technology.
 The most stubborn mine fire is hot the burning of timbers, but the Mre that burns in coal or ores con- taining certain metals. Professor Hutchinson explains Such . blaze has been burning in the famous hunning Mine in Schuylkili county. Pennsylvania, for 70 years, and en- lgineers are ready for another at- teiapt to smother 1t go that more than 10,0oo.000 tons of anthracite can be made accessible.
 The theory that air is inhaled by apparently impenetrable rocks far underground, thus supporting the necessary amount of oxygen for combustion, Is supported by tests made by Professor Hutchinson. Samples of gases exhaled from rocks in q deep mine during period of low barometric pressure were found to contain the same amount of helium as the atmos- phere.
 Although sealing the entrance of . burning mine may cut off all ap- parent air supply, Professor Hutch- tnson saye, enough air may find its way through the rock to keep the Are alive. Failure of flooding to extinguish such fires is accounted for by the fact that water is unable to penetrate to the heart of the |super-heated rock in which . high temperature may remain for long periods because the heat cannot escape.
 The amount of air ''breathed" by the rocks varies according to baro- metric pressure, Professor Hutchin- son points out. During periods of high pressure he believes fire far below the surface may gain head way. while during low pressure the burning area shoulders. holding its Intense heat despite flooding and sealing.
 The Institute of Technology sx- pert refers to ar-z mine in Butte, Mont, which is being operated to- day although deep in the heart of the workings burns fire, complete ly sealed in what might bs com pared to . high concrete cubicle. When mining engineers found they could not extinsuish this fire. which has ragged for many years. they built . great concrete wall on all sides of the burning section. It now smould- CTS within its strong we'll while min- ers work nearby.
 Professor Hutchinson mentions miner's open lamps. waste ma teriak, gas and dust as frequent causes of mine fires Blasting or m electric spark occasionally start the flames and there is also the danger of spontaneous com mbustion which in coal mines might result From chemical decomposition of or- Eanic sulphur.
 When a fire Is discovered the best method of attack is water, Pro- lessor Hutchinson believes. If the flames gain headway attempts arc often made to smother them by sealing the entrances to the pocket. Again. water mixed with sand and mud may be pumped into the burn fng workings to smother tho flames by filling all crevices where air might enter.
 Constant vigilance. including daily inspection of every drift and cross-cut, and education of the miners has done much to decrease the fire hazard in mining. Care- lessness or ignorance. the engineer believes. has been the cause of most of the great mine fires.