Colliery Explosion

(By Electric Telegraph.)

Shields, Thursday, 9 P.M.

This forenoon a fearful explosion took place in the pit called the "A Pit," Hebburn Colliery, five miles from this place. There were 200 men and boys in the pit, but the explosion was confined to the Chapter flat, an advance working. The whole of the men and boys in that part, amounting to 22 in number, were instantly killed by the fire. The fire was extinguished by meeting a horse drawing a number of tubs along the rolly-way ; the horse was upset and severely injured, but the men travelling in the tubs fortunately escaped.

The pit was well ventilated, and nothing is as yet known as to the cause producing the accident. The lessee of the colliery is Mr. Easton, of Gateshead. The pit is in the fiery Bensham seam, and this is the third explosion that has taken place in it during the last 20 years. The whole of the bodies were brought to the bank in about two hours. No injury has been done to the ventilation.

The inquest will be held on Saturday.