Headstone in an empty field
Monument to the Pretoria Pit disaster in which 344 men died in 1910
Wikimedia Commons

Mining disasters in Lancashire in which five or more people were killed occurred most frequently in the 1850s, 1860s and 1870s. Many more miners were killed in everyday accidents than in the major disasters that had a catastrophic on mining communities, leaving widows and orphans without breadwinners.[1] Among the earliest deaths recorded in parish registers is that of Ffrancis Taylior, who lost his life in 1662 after a fall in a “coale pitte”.[2]

Most fatalities were caused by firedampDamps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. , some by the miners who took the tops off the safety lamps that were designed to protect them because of the poor light they gave out. Some mine owners turned a blind eye to the use of candles in even the gassiest coal seams.[3]

To regulate working conditions, the government passed Acts of Parliament: the 1842 Act prohibited the employment of females and boys under 10 years old and appointed a single inspector, but inspections were few and breaches were common. Acts passed in subsequent years led to the appointment of more inspectors and increased their powers to regulate how mines were operated and the working conditions and welfare of the miners.[5]

The spate of disasters on the Lancashire CoalfieldThe Lancashire and Cheshire Coalfield in North West England was one of the most important British coalfields. Its coal seams were formed from the vegetation of tropical swampy forests in the Carboniferous period more than 300 million years ago. in the late 1860s and early 1870s left authorities unable to cope with large numbers of widows and orphans whose main breadwinner had been killed. The Lancashire and Cheshire Miners Permanent Relief SocietyForm of friendly society started in 1872 to provide financial assistance to miners who were unable to work after being injured in industrial accidents in collieries on the Lancashire Coalfield. , championed by the Wigan miners’ agent, William Pickard, was started in 1872, when Lancashire was the country’s seventh largest coal producer and often had the highest accident figures.[4]

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Fundraising postcard for the Maypole disaster in 1908
Wikimedia Commons

In the aftermath of a disaster the first rescuers were colliery managers and volunteer colleagues, who descended into the pits to look for signs of life, rescue the injured, seal off underground fires and recover bodies. Working in dangerous conditions, sometimes at great cost to themselves, their only specialised equipment was safety lamps to detect gases.[5] They were the predecessors of the mines rescueSpecialised job of rescuing miners and others who have become trapped or injured in underground mines because of accidents, roof falls or floods and disasters such as explosions caused by firedamp. teams recommended in a Royal Commission in 1886, but not made compulsory until the Coal Mines Act 1911.[5] In 1906 a committee of the Lancashire and Cheshire Coal Owners Association decided to provide a mines rescue station at Howe BridgeFirst mines rescue station on the Lancashire Coalfield, opened in 1908 in Lovers Lane Howe Bridge, Atherton, Lancashire, England. . Its trained rescuers were present at the Maypole and Pretoria Pit disasters.They also trained teams of men in pits throughout the coalfield. Boothstown Mines Rescue StationMines rescue station serving the collieries of the Lancashire and Cheshire Coal Owners on the Lancashire Coalfield, opened in 1933. opened in November 1933 close to the East Lancashire Road.[6] It replaced stations at Howe Bridge, Denton, St Helens and Burnley.[5]

Disasters by decade

DateCollieryLocationNotesDeaths
24 April 1830Pemberton Colliery Pemberton Explosion killed nine people.[2]9
May 1831Haydock CollieriesHaydockAn explosion at one of the coal pits in Haydock killed up to twelve workers.[2]12
May 1832Haydock CollieriesHaydockAn explosion killed up to six workers.[2]6
10 July 1835Ladyshore CollieryLittle Lever, BoltonTen men and seven boys were drowned after water from the River Croal inundated the pit workings.[2][7]17
DateCollieryLocationNotesDeaths
24 November 1846Coppull CollieriesCoppullBurgh Colliery was one of numerous pits and shafts that were collectively known as Coppull Collieries. Four years after the Mines and Collieries Act 1842 had passed into law, three of the nine victims of an explosion were girls.[8] A collier lit a candle in the workings before the fireman had inspected them causing accumulated gas to explode.[9]9
June 1847Kirkless Hall CollieryAspull, near WiganThirteen men and boys were killed after a shot was fired causing an explosion of firedampDamps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. Damps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. Damps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. Damps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. .[10]13

DateCollieryLocationNotesDeaths
11 February 1850Gibfield CollieryAthertonThe workers descended the pit belonging to Fletchers and discovered the presence of gas which they tried to disperse with their jackets. The gas fired at the flame of a lighted candle causing an explosion which killed five men and burned several others.[11]9
16 March 1850Haydock Collieries
RockPit		HaydockThirteen men were killed in an explosion at Haydock Collieries’ Rock Pit. Candles were in use in the pit even though the men had run away from a fire the day before.[11]13
12 April 1850Town House CollieryGreat Marsden, near BurnleyThe pit was worked by Spenser Wilson and Company. Six men were working in the pit when one man went to check for gas with a safety lamp but before he signalled it was safe, another man removed the top from his lamp causing an explosion that killed them all.[11]6
9 October 1850Bent Grange CollieryOldhamButterworth’s Bent Grange Colliery[12] was in the centre of Oldham. An explosion killed 16 or 17 workers. The pit had a single shaft. About twenty-five colliers were at work in the Riley mine (seam) when a roof fall broke the wire gauze of a Davy lamp causing an explosion.[13][14]16 or 17
8 November 1850Haydock Collieries No 13 PitHaydockAbout twenty men and boys and four ponies were working in Turner and Evans’ No. 13 pit when an explosion killed ten, injured several others and killed all the ponies. The men worked with candles and the pit was not routinely inspected for gas before work started.[15]20
17 March 1851Heys CollieryAshton-under-LyneThe pit was the property of John Kenworthy and Brothers. According to the inspector’s report by Mr Dickinson, an explosion of firedamp killed one man and injured eight more, five subsequently died from their injuries.[16]6
22 December 1851Ince Hall Colliery Deep PitInce-in-MakerfieldAt Ince Hall Colliery[17], shortly after a hundred men and boys descended into the 1242-foot (379 m) Deep Pit, an explosion caused by inflammable gas coming into contact with a candle killed 13 workers, the oldest was 65 years of age and the youngest were four boys aged 15.[18][19]13
18 February 1852Roscoe and Lords CollieryRochdaleIn very bad weather, water burst into the main level of the colliery. The pit was 54 yards deep and the main drift 260 yards long. Some men near the shaft bottom managed to get into the cage and were drawn to the surface. Eight men were drowned in the rising water but two men and two boys in the upper workings ran until they reached the top of the drift but before the water reached them it subsided and they escaped.[20]8
24 April 1852Norley Hall CollieryPembertonNorley Hall Colliery’s [21] shafts were 480 feet deep. An explosion in the Engine Pit on a Friday night when most of the colliers had left the pit, claimed twelve lives, mostly boys aged 15 and under who worked as drawers.((sfnp|TBAHMFFU|19}} After the explosion all the workers were supplied with safety lamps.[22]12
20 May 1852Coppull Hall CollieryCoppullThe colliery was the property of John Hargreaves. It had two shafts but the small furnace for ventilation at the bottom of the upcast shaft was seldom used. A shaft sunk after the previous explosion to increase ventilation was 210 yards (192 m) deep and 360 yards (329 m) from the Coppull shaft. The colliery worked the fiery Arley mine. The colliers and drawers had to provide their own safety lamps and some risked using candles. An explosion on killed 36 men and boys, the oldest aged 41 and the youngest a boy of 9 whose father also died.[23][24]36
24 March 1853Ince Hall CollieryInce-in-MakerfieldThe Ince Hall Coal and Cannel Company’s colliery[17] worked the Arley mine at a depth of 414 yards It was one of a cluster of eight pits about one mile east of Wigan near the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Although it was a fiery seam, the coal was worked with naked lights and on 24 March 1853 an explosion killed fifty men and boys.[25][26]50
1 July 1853Bent Grange CollieryOldhamBent Grange Colliery[12] was owned by Thomas Butterworth who, after the explosion in October 1850, had been told by the inspector that the ventilation of the mine was defective. A second shaft was sunk but another explosion killed 20 men and boys, 13 were suffocated by afterdamp and seven were burnt to death.[27]20
18 February 1854Ince Hall CollieryInce-in-MakerfieldAnother explosion occurred in Ince Hall Colliery’s[17] Arley mine in 1854. An explosion of firedamp in the same pit had occurred in the previous year and the recommendations of Her Majesty’s Inspector, Joseph Dickinson had been followed. Ventilation had been improved but the Arley mine was notoriously “fiery” and explosions had occurred in other pits where it was mined. The explosion cost 89 lives, 37 of the victims were burnt and the rest died from suffocation by the afterdamp.[28]89
11 November 1854Bellfield CollieryRochdaleThe colliery was owned by John Knowles and Company. Three men and four boys were killed by falling down the shaft in the cage when a link in the coupling chain at the end of the shaft rope broke.[29]7
2 February 1858Bardsley CollieryBardsleyAn explosion of firedamp ignited by shot firing at Bardsley Colliery’s Diamond Pit between Oldham and Ashton-under-Lyne killed 53 men and boys.[30][31]53
13 December 1858Yew Tree CollieryFormer coal mine operating on the Manchester Coalfield after 1845 in Tyldesley, which was then in the historic county of Lancashire, England. TyldesleyAn explosion of firedamp killed 25 men and boys. It was the worst mining disaster to occur in the town.[32]25
6 January 1859Agecroft CollieryPendleburyThe colliery in the Irwell Valley belonged to Andrew Knowles and Sons. Twenty men were waiting to be raised to the surface at about 9:30 in the morning. Four boys aged from 12 to 16 years and three men, the oldest 60 and the youngest aged 20, were in the cage when it overwound at speed and was pulled into the headgear. The safety catch failed and the cage plunged down the shaft killing all on board.[33]7

DateCollieryLocationNotesDeaths
1 November 1861Shevington Colliery Albert PitShevingtonThe colliery’s Prince Albert Pit was one of numerous small pits around Shevington and Appley Bridge to the west of Wigan. Its shaft was sunk to 260 yards and candles were permitted in the workings. An explosion of firedampDamps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. Damps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. Damps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. Damps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. killed 13 men and boys. All the victims were overcome by afterdampDamps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. . The explosion was caused by gas coming into contact with an open flame.[34] 13
5 January 1865Douglas Bank CollieryWiganThe Douglas Bank Colliery[35] was situated near Pagefield Lock on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Wigan. Shaft sinking began in 1863 and by 1865 a depth of 500 yards (457 m) had been achieved. Eight men were being lowered to the workings in a hoppet (large bucket) when it stopped in the shaft for no apparent reason. A second hoppet was attached to the winding gear and men were lowered to investigate. Explosives used in sinking had caused the shaft walling at the pit bottom to collapse burying the first hoppet and the men. Working parties removed load after load of bricks and rubble and rescued three men but five who had been thrown out were killed.[36]5
12 September 1865California PitAspullCalifornia Pit [37] belonged to Kirkless Hall Coal and Iron, a company that owned several pits, coke works and ironworks near the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Aspull. At the end of the shift, 277 men and boys working the Arley mine at 315 yards below the surface, began ascending the shaft. The two-decker cage raised the workers in groups of eight. After many colliers had been raised, and the cage once again rose in the shaft, the steel winding rope slipped off the drum causing it to snap and plunged the cage down the shaft. Workers waiting at the pit bottom had just enough time to rush back before the cage plunged into the sump followed by the steel rods that guided the cage in the shaft. Eight bodies were recovered but the reason for the 3¾ inch rope snapping was never determined.[37]8
13 May 1866Garswood, Ashton-in-MakerfieldGarswoodThirteen men and boys died in an explosion at Garswood Colliery between St Helens and Haydock on 13 May 1866.[38]13
30 May 1867Mesne Lea CollieryWorsleyThe pit was sunk in 1824 off Walkden Road. An explosion killed seven men in May 1867. The pit was considered to be safe as little methane had been encountered and the men used candles. The explosion resulted when gas was ignited by an open flame.[39]7
26 November 1867Hindley Green Colliery, Springs PitHindley GreenThe colliery employed almost 300 men and boys. An explosion in the colliery’s Springs Pit occurred in the Arley mine at 8:40 am. Rescue teams were organised and some men and boys were raised from the workings, some suffering from the effect of afterdamp. The rescue party found 62 men and boys had been suffocated by afterdamp and some were badly burned by flames from the ventilation furnace.[40]62
21 December 1868Norley CollieryPembertonAn explosion in the No. 2 and No. 3 Pits at Norley Colliery in Pemberton occurred just as four men and a pony had descended into the pit. Seven men and the pony were killed when gas exploded.[37][38]7
30 December 1868Haydock Collieries, Queen PitHaydockAn explosion of gas after a roof fall in the Queen Pit killed 26 men.[38][39]26
7 January 1869Rainford CollieriesRainfordThe colliery, which had started around 1848 had eight shafts. At the time of the accident No. 7 shaft was the upcast and No. 8 the downcast. The ventilation furnace in No. 7 shaft set fire to coal at the shaft and it spread to the down brow. The fire caused an explosion of gas. Water pipes were lowered into the downcast shaft. Nine men died.[41]9
21 July 1869Haydock Collieries, Queen PitHaydockAnother explosion in the Queen Pit killed 59 men. It probably occurred after gas released by roof falls was ignited by shot firing.[39]59
16 November 1869Low Hall CollieryPlatt Bridge near WiganThe colliery was operated by the Moss Hall Coal Company, it had eight shafts. An explosion of gas in the Six Feet mine caused by shotfiring killed 27 men and boys and started an underground fire. The fire was extinguished after the pit was flooded with water taken from the aqueduct that supplied Liverpool with water from the Rivington ReservoirsThe Rivington Reservoir Chain, or Rivington Pike Scheme, was built for Liverpool Corporation Waterworks between 1850 and 1857 by Thomas Hawksley. .[40]27
DateCollieryLocationNotesDeaths
4 February 1870Pendleton CollieryPendletonAn explosion occurred when powder was blown out of a shot firing hole resulting in the death of six men. [42] 6
19 August 1870Bryn Hall CollieryBryn, Ashton in MakerfieldThe colliery was sunk in about 1856 by Smith and Sons. It was owned by W & B J Crippen at the time of the disaster.[55] The explosion was heard for miles around and damaged both the shafts. A hoppet (large bucket) was set up to raise about 100 miners working in another part of the mine before search parties could begin the task of exploring for survivors and victims. Fifteen survivors found suffering from afterdamp were raised to the surface and twenty men died.[43]20
6 September 1871Ince Moss CollieryInce-in-MakerfieldAn explosion occurred in Pearson and Knowles’ Moss Pits where men were working in the Nine Foot and Cannel mines. Two sinkers were descending the upcast shaft in a hoppet (large bucket) when an explosion damaged the headgear and discharged large volumes of smoke. After fixing the winding gear the hoppet was drawn up and found to be empty. It was lowered again and returned with five colliers from the Cannel mine who said the explosion was in the Nine Foot. An exploring party including the miners’ agent William Pickard descended into the downcast shaft where several colliers were found alive and returned them to the surface. The coal had caught fire and buckets were sent for to extinguish it but two more explosions occurred and the explorers had to return to the surface. It was decided that anyone left underground must be dead and the shaft was sealed. Altogether 69 men died.[44]69
15 November 1871Hindley Green Colliery Springs PitHindley GreenSix men and eleven ponies were killed in an explosion in the Arley mine at Springs Pit after shot firing ignited gas.[45]6
28 March 1872Lovers Lane CollieryAthertonAn explosion Fletcher’s Lovers’ Lane Colliery killed 27 men and boys. It was caused when gas accumulated by inadequate ventilation was ignited by the discharge of a shot of gunpowder.[46]27
3 June 1873Bryn Hall CollieryBryn, Ashton-in-MakerfieldAn explosion killed six men and severely damaged the pit.[47]6
21 November 1873Mesnes Colliery, Barebones PitWiganAn explosion after shot firing at the Barebones Pit killed five of the 73 men and boys who were working in the pit. About 20 were badly burned.[48]5
18 July 1874Ince Hall Colliery Saw Mill PitInce-in-MakerfieldFifteen men died in an explosion of firedamp after shotfiring had taken place without proper checks being made.[49]15
3 December 1875Alexandra CollieryRainfordThe Wigan Coal and Iron Company had opened the colliery about six months before an incident in the shaft led to the collision of two cages in which seven men were thrown to their deaths.[50]7
23 January 1877Stonehill CollieryFarnworthA fire in the colliery’s Cannel mine around 1200 yards (1,097 m) from the pit bottom filled the workings with smoke and fumes. Most men escaped but of 40 trapped by the fire 18 were asphyxiated. The fire was extinguished two days later. At the time of the disaster naked flames were used in the colliery as it was not considered to be a “gassy” pit.[51]18
7 February 1877Foggs CollieryDarcy Lever, BoltonFoggs Pit employed 50 men and boys. The workers rushed to the pit bottom after smoke filled the workings. Ten men were missing. Exploration parties were sent down but the pit was on fire and had to be blocked. A second explosion sent flames from the shaft blowing the cage into the headgear.[52]10
6 March 1877Great Boys CollieryGreat Boys Colliery in Tyldesley was a coal mine operating on the Manchester Coalfield in the second half of the 19th century in Lancashire, England. TyldesleyAn explosion attributed to blown out shot killed six men at the pit, which was owned by Thomas Fletcher of Little Lever.[53][54]6
12 March 1877Unity Brook CollieryKearsleyThe colliery worked two seams, the Trencherbone mine at about 300 yards (274 m) and the Cannel mine at about 360 yards (329 m). The two shafts had winding engines and the downcast was the winding shaft for both seams. Open lights were used to work both seams and safety lamps were only used for examinations. The explosion took place in the lower Cannel mine after a roof fall. Just before the explosion, the cage had just reached the pit bank when the blast blew it into fragments, some of which fell down the shaft.[55]43
11 October 1877Pemberton CollieryPembertonAn explosion caused by a blown out shot took place at Pemberton Colliery’s King Pit which was owned by Jonathan Blundell and Sons. The explosion in the Wigan Nine Foot mine killed 36 men and boys including Mr Watkin, the colliery manager.[56]36
17 February 1878Whiston CollieryWhiston, St HelensAn underground explosion killed seven men.[53]7
7 June 1878Haydock Collieries, Wood PitHaydockAn underground explosion in the Florida mine killed 189 men and boys.[53]189
22 October 1879Alexandra CollierySt HelensSeven men were killed in an overwinding incident.[53]7
DateCollieryLocationNotesDeaths
19 December 1881Abram CollieryAbramAn underground explosion killed 48 men.[53]48
2 October 1883Nelson PitRamsden’s Shakerley Collieries was a coal mining company operating from the mid-19th century in Shakerley, Tyldesley in Lancashire, England. Shakerley, TyldesleyA chain snapped while six men and boys were descending Shakerley Collieries’ Nelson Pit. All were killed.[57]6
7 November 1883Moorfield CollieryAccringtonAn underground explosion killed 68 men.[53] 68
18 June 1885Clifton Hall CollieryClifton, PendleburyAn explosion in the Trencherbone mine at Andrew Knowles’ colliery killed 178 men and boys. A monument was erected in the churchyard of St Augustine’s Church in Pendlebury where 64 victims were buried. The explosion was probably caused by firedampDamps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. Damps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. Damps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. Damps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. igniting on contact with a candle.[58]178
13 August 1886Bedford CollieryBedford, LeighThe disaster at Bedford Colliery occurred when an explosion of firedampDamps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. Damps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. Damps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. Damps is a collective name given to all gases other than air found in coal mines in Great Britain. The chief pollutants are carbon dioxide and methane, known as blackdamp and firedamp respectively. caused the death of thirty-eight miners at Speakman’s Bedford No.2 Pit.[59]38
6 April 1888Douglas Bank CollieryWiganFive men were killed in a shaft sinking accident.[53]5
DateCollieryLocationNotesDeaths
14 December 1892Bamfurlong CollieryAshton-in-MakerfieldAn underground fire caused the deaths of sixteen workers.[53]16
20 February 1896Westleigh CollieryWestleigh, LeighThe cage containing eight men was wound the wrong way causing it to detach.[53]8
DateCollieryLocationNotesDeaths
29 June 1900Haydock Collieries, Boston Old PitHaydockAn outburst of gas while shaft sinking caused eight deaths.[60]8
2 April 1902Garswood Hall CollieryAshton-in-MakerfieldAn underground explosion killed fourteen men.[60]14
20 January 1905Bold CollierySt HelensA winding accident caused five deaths.[60]5
16 July 1905Haydock Collieries, New Boston PitHaydockFive men were killed in a roof fall.[60]5
4 October 1907Foggs CollieryDarcy Lever, BoltonTen men were killed in a cage collision.[60]10
18 August 1908Maypole CollieryAbramThe disaster was the result of an underground explosion. The death toll was seventy-six.[61]76
DateCollieryLocationNotesDeaths
21 December 1910Hulton Bank Colliery, Pretoria PitOver Hulton, WesthoughtonThe disaster occurred when an underground explosion at the Hulton Colliery Company’s No. 3, Pretoria Pit killed three hundred and forty-four men.[62] 344
11 December 1917Cronton CollieryWidnesAn explosion killed eight men.[60]8
DateCollieryLocationNotesDeaths
4 November 1925Pendleton CollieryPendletonAn upheaval of the floor in workings 2000 feet (610 m) down and 2½ miles (4 km) from the shaft, caused an emission of gas and an explosion that killed six men.[60][63]6
DateCollieryLocationNotesDeaths
26 February 1930Haydock Collieries, Lyme PitHaydockAn underground explosion killed five men.[60]5
10 October 1932Bickershaw CollieryLeighA cage carrying twenty men was descending in the shaft when it was was detached from the rope and nineteen men were drowned in the sump at the bottom.[64]19
7 June 1939Astley Green CollieryAstleyFive men including the colliery manager died while fighting a “gob” fire in the Crombouke mine[60] after an explosion.[65]5
DateCollieryLocationNotesDeaths
6 March 1957Chanters CollieryHindsford, AthertonAn underground explosion killed eight men.[60]8
10 October 1959Bickershaw CollieryLeighFive men died including two members of Boothstown mines rescue teamMines rescue station serving the collieries of the Lancashire and Cheshire Coal Owners on the Lancashire Coalfield, opened in 1933. .[60]5
DateCollieryLocationNotesDeaths
22 March 1962Hapton Valley CollieryBurnleyAn explosion 750 feet (229 m) below ground killed nineteen men.[60][66]19
DateCollieryLocationNotesDeaths
19 March 1979Golborne CollieryGolborneAn explosion caused by the ignition of a build up of methane killed ten men and seriously injured several others. A fireball shot along a tunnel which was 1800 feet (549 m) underground.[67]10

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