Originally published in The Leader (Joseph Clatton, junr.) vol.1 #34 (16 Nov 1850).
We know not what wages colliers earn generally, but they ought to be paid liberally, considering the risks they run. Another explosion of fire damp has taken place this week, by which twenty-six persons have lost their lives. The scene of this melancholy catastrophe was the Houghton pit, near Newbottle, in the county of Durham, At the time of the explosion, there were 150 men and boys in the pit, engaged in the various workings The explosion was sudden. A loud report was heard, which reverberated through all the workings, and was soon indicated at bank—a term applied to the entrance of the shaft. Most of the persons who perished lost their lives by attempting to get through the choke damp towards the shaft. Several were burnt. Some were found without heads, others without legs or arms; portions of the same body were found in different and distant places, showing the great violence of the fire. It is impossible to tell with certainty where the fire originated, so great is the havoc made in its vicinity, and the men working near it were blown to a great distance. One of the overmen was in the pit at the time, and on hearing the explosion he ran in the direction whence the noise proceeded, in order to ascertain the cause, when he met the rush of fire, which carried him along in its scorching embrace till death terminated his agony. His body was found a calcined mass. The event has created a deep sensation throughout the district, and thousands have visited the locality from a distance, making enquiries.