Sheffield Independent – Wednesday 15 March 1899

The Fire at Cadeby Main Colliery.

Death of Another Victim.

The Inquest.

A second death has occurred at the Montagu Cottage Hospital, Mexboro’, as a result of the fire in the Cadeby pit last Saturday night, the injured man being Richard Seels, who had suffered from extensive burns, arising from an explosion of gas near a ‘”gob fire.”

An inquest was held on the body yesterday afternoon, before Mr. Bagshawe, deputy coroner, and the same jury also investigated as to the death of William Barrett, which also arose from the same cause.

Mr. J. Rothery was foreman of the jury. The inquiry was attended by Mr. F. N. Wardell, H.M. Inspector of Mines. Mr. Witty, underground manager, was also present.

Mary Adey, of 97, Clifton street, New Conisbro’, said the deceased had lodged with her. He was employed at the Cadeby Main Colliery. She believed he was about 28 years of age. She last saw him alive at dinner time on Saturday. He then left to go to work. She saw him next, at seven o’clock at night, in the hospital. He was conscious and could talk. He only said he was burnt very badly. He died about seven o’clock on Monday night. She had seen him at three o’clock that afternoon. He did not blame any one. He said he thought he should get better.

Ann Barrett, of No. 5, Cusworth street, New Conisbro’, said the deceased, William Barrett, was her husband. He was aged 33. He was a miner at Cadeby. She last saw him alive at one o’clock on Saturday, when he left for work. She had not seen him since the accident. She did not go to the hospital

John Lumb of 26, Stafford terrace, Denaby Main, said he was employed as a deputy at Cadeby Colliery. On Saturday, in No 7 old gate, there was an explosion. He was seated at the time about tea yards from the deceased. The occurrence was about 4-.30 p.m. Deceased was removing dirt out of the gate. They were working together. There were other men working at the place. A fall of roof curtain, and the explosion follow. The falling roof did not catch the men. There was much flame. It did not reach him to injure him. The flame was about two yards in length at the gate. The two men were badly burnt. They were conscious. They were brought out as soon as possible and taken to the hospital. There were ambulance appliances for the men.

By the Coroner: I had tested the roof at two o’clock. The deceased saw me test it. It was a sound roof.

The Coroner: How many props had fallen? — None.

What extent was the fall? — Two yards in length, and a yard broad.

The timber had not given way at all? — No.

By Mr. Wardell : The men were working at a fire to try to get it out. The fire had been there more than a week. They had seen busy since then — one shift after another — trying to scour it out. I had never be3n left. The deceased was in the ” return’ side, and the other two men were in the intake.

The Coroner: Were the other two injured?

Witness ; One was, but only slightly. Brien was injured slightly. Foster was not injured.

Mr. Wardell: I suppose it is difficult, to deal with underground fires. Any one who knows Denaby knows that ?— Yes.

You have been very careful since the fire? — Yes.

There has been no gas seen? — No.

Not up to this day? — No.

Did you examine it carefully that afternoon when you went to work? — Yes.

Did you find gas anywhere?-— No; none.

Did you find any fire? — Yes, about half an hour before the accident at the bottom of a prop.

The Coroner: Was that supporting a portion of the roof which fell? — No.

Mr. Wardell : But it was part of the roof where the fire was. Did you get that out at once? — Yes.

Could you see any flame after that — between then and the explosion? — No.

There must have been flame at the back which you did not see? — There must have been some fire, but I had not seen any.

You saw some gas after the explosion? — No.

Mr. Wardell: I think there was gas after the explosion.

Mr. Witty: There was on the Sunday, a little in the same place.

Mr. Wardell: A deputy was constantly in charge of these shifts? Witness: Yes.

Did you have the burning stuff filled up and sent out? — Yes.

Was it more than timber? — No. only timber.

Had you extincteurs ?— Yes, and a hose pipe.

At any time did the fire seem to get any dimensions ? – No.

What quantity of fire would there be?— Only a little.

And fairish ventilation? It was a big place? — Yes.

It would not need much gas to flash with all that air ? — No.

Did it seem to be a big explosion? — No.

Did you feel any effect of after damp?— l found it strong in the return.

Were the lamps put out? — Yes.

Yours and the rest? — Yes. But they were not damaged otherwise ?— No.

Have you ever been in an explosion before?— No, this is the first I have been in.

Have you seen gas before in your lamp — Yes many a. time, but not this time.

Do you always pull your flame down as low as you can and shield it with your hand?— Yes.

And you could find no trace of gas?— No, none

The Foreman: Was there no gas before the fall– Witness: No.

The Foreman: Did the fall liberate some gas ? – Witness: No doubt, but I did not reach it

Mr. Wardell: That is no doubt exactly what took place.

William O’Brien, of 37, Blvth street, Denaby Main miner, said he was working where the explosion occurred. He was near to the deceased. Witness and Foster and the deputy were seated at the time They were close together. They were between five and six yards from where the roof fell, and about ten yards from where Seels and Barrett were. He heard the fall of roof and saw the explosion. He agreed with the evidence of the deputy.

The Coroner: Were you injured?

Witness: Slightly, on the left shoulder, and my hair was singed.

The Coroner: Have you anything to add to what the deputy said ?— No.

Wardell: You had not seen any trace of gas? Did you see the deputy examine the place?— No he was there before me.

Have you heard of any gas there? No.

You knew a fire was there? — Yes. Did you see the prop burning? Yes.

It never struck you there was danger? No.

Have you been working at the place since? — No I have not been to work since.

You were in the intake? — Yes.

That accounts for your not getting so much of the blast as Barrett? — Yes. _

Did you see it flash? — Yes.

It came out of the roof? — Yes.

And immediately after the fall? At the fall ?

The fall brought the gas out? -Yes, it came with the fall.

Lights were all put out?— Yes.

It did not continue to bum? — No

There was not much gas? – No, if there had been, we should all have been dead.

The jury returned a verdict of ” Death from burns accidentally received from an explosion of gas in the Cadeby Colliery.