Disasters - Names		Disasters - Names

Date:	15th July 1904
Colliery:	Brancepeth
Cause:	(See description below)
Lives Lost:	1

At Brancepeth a lad of 14 years of age was cremated, before any assistance could be rendered, by the collapse of the top of the main flue from the coke ovens. There was nothing to show from above that the flue was in any way unsafe immediately before it collapsed. It is never safe to walk on the tops of these flues, and in many places notices to this effect are posted up. No matter how good the materials may have been when first erected, the intense heat of the gasses from the ovens after a time has such an effect on the arches that only a slight additional weight is sufficient to cause them to give way. Walking on the bare flues should be strictly prohibited, and in cases where it is necessary iron sheets should be provided with a good clearance on each side to serve as the travelling way.

Source:

1904 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2506)

	Todd, Henry, aged 14, Dauber, he was walking across the main flue of coke oven when it collapsed, and he fell in and was cremated before any assistance could be rendered him
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