The Brancepeth Colliery Explosion

The coroner's inquiry regarding the Brancepeth colliery explosion was resumed at Willington, Durham, yesterday. Mr. W. C. Blackett, mining engineer, said a canister of powder — such as is used by stonemen — belonging to one of the men killed had been found amongst the rubbish, and he had come to the conclusion that the explosion was caused by the firing of the powder in the canister, accidentally, carelessly, or otherwise. He had a strong feeling that the powder in the canister exploded before the shot was fired, and that it exploded from contact with a naked light accidentally. He thought this happened while the men were going away to a place of safety to await the firing of the shot to bring down the stone. He did not regard the mine as dusty. He was satisfied that it was an explosion of coal dust, and that gas played no part in the explosion. Mr. Greener, manager of a neighbouring colliery, gave evidence in agreement with that of Mr. Blackett, and the inquiry was again adjourned.