August 16 1913.
FIRE AT DENABY MAIN COLLIERY
Men Withdrawn From The Pit.
A Week-end Incident.
The Peril Past.
The sudden withdrawal from Denaby Main Colliery about noon on Saturday August 9th 1913, of almost the entire strength of underground workers, gave rise to sensational rumours of a character considerably more than was justified by the actual circumstances, but, nevertheless not unnatural in view of the terrible disaster at the neighbouring pit a year ago, and the wide discussion which followed on the desirability of withdrawing men from a mine threatened by fire.
A fortnight or so previously, a fire had broken out in the shaft pillar – that is the solid block of coal left to support the shaft and surface works of the mine, and it appears that this fire is a legacy left the management from a previous outbreak at the same point some twenty six years ago.
It received the promptest attention, but the task of subduing it was formidable, and by Saturday the situation was rather threatening, although the fire is well away from the workings, and there is little or no risk of an explosion. So that no precaution might be neglected, the management withdrew the men from the mine, and set relays of workmen exclusively to deal with the fire, which was fought unremittingly throughout the week-end, so that by Monday morning the pit was open for work, and the danger had been reduced to a minimum.
It was a splendid piece of fire-fighting and the management are to be commended upon the coolness and promptitude with which they dealt a danger as serious in it´s way, as that attending the outbreak of a `gob fire´ Until the fire was under control there was a considerable danger of a weakening of the shaft pillar, but there is reason to believe that it is now happily passed.