St. Hilda's Colliery

Miscellaneous Notes and Incidents

The remaining case of fire in connexion with haulage sheaves occurred at St. Hilda Colliery, Durham, and was attended with more serious consequences. At about 6.0 a.m. on Sunday, 31st March, a deputy travelling inbye in the Yard Seam found smoke joining the intake air of the travelling road. Subsequent investigation led to the discovery of a fire at a curve about 600 yards from the Westoe downcast shaft on an intake mechanical-haulage road. Rescue brigades summoned arrived promptly, and an attempt was made to extinguish the fire by the application of water from hand pumps at the outbye and intake side. By this time the coal sides and the roof at the curve were burning. The only water supply available was that obtained from a 1¾-inch diameter fire hose, connected at the shaft inset to a shaft range of the same dimensions. For a time the prospect of successfully combating the fire appeared to be reasonably good, but the collapse of a crossing girder allowed the roof to fall heavily and increased considerably the difficulty of playing on the seat of the fire what little water was available. About 7.0 p.m. it was decided to seal off the whole of the extensive workings in the Yard Seam. This was done and the area remained sealed at the end of the year. No lives were endangered. A few persons were slightly affected by fumes in the return airway whilst engaged in alterations to the ventilation.

The fire probably originated through heating due to friction on haulage sheaves, the frames of which were of wood. Prior to the discovery of the fire the last set from this district was hauled at about 11.0 a.m. on the previous day, Saturday, 30th March. Workmen did not ordinarily travel by this road and the deputy who discovered the smoke was the first person to make an inspection after work ceased on the Saturday.

The occurrence again emphasizes the necessity for providing adequate fire-fighting appliances and organization. As a result of this fire the following steps were, among others, decided upon for all collieries owned by the Company

l. Curves and return-wheel frames to be constructed solely of non-inflammable material.

2. Sufficient sand and stone dust to fill 50 bags of each material to be kept at specified points, including curves and offtakes.

3. The provision at a surface store of 200 sand bags and of at least 480 yards of standard fire hose.

4. The fitting of instantaneous fire hose couplings at each shaft bottom and the testing of the water supply at each of these points.

5. Overhauling of the organization for greasing and otherwise maintained in proper condition all haulage wheels.

6. Inauguration of a system of inspection each Saturday of all engine planes from one to two boors after the cessation of hauling.

7. The posting of printed "Standing Orders" allotting to individuals definite duties in case of fire.

Source: 1935 Mines Inspectors Report