Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 May 1902 — DOUBLEEXPLOSION KILLS 109 MINERS [ARTICLE]

DOUBLEEXPLOSION KILLS 109 MINERS

Violation of Rule Against Smoking Leads to the Catastrophe. TWENTY-FOUR ESCAPE DEATH Work of Rescue Hampered by Fear That Coal Damp May Cause Fire in Shafts—Relatives Beseech Survivors to Keep Away. One hundred and nine miners are believed to be dead as a result of a double explosion in the Crow’s Nest Pass Coal company’s mine near Fernie, B. C. Only twenty-four of the men at work in the two shafts escaped. A number of bodies have been recovered, but because of tne gases in the shafts the work of recovering the dead is slow. It is believed none of those still in the workings has survived. The disaster was caused by a miner striking a match to light his pipe. Smoking was forbidden, but occasionally the rule was ignored. Details of the explosion are meager, as Fernie has poor telegraph facilities, and the mine is six miles from the town. No. 2 and No. 3 shafts are situated on Coal Creek. They have always been considered dangerous, being dusty and gaseous. The first explosion occurred in No. 2 mine and was repeated in No. 3 mine, the two shafts being connected. The scenes at the mines and in the town of Fernie are pitiful. Hardly a house has escaped affliction. Perfect order prevails, assistance coming from every available source. The presence of coal damp is adding to the danger of rescue work.

A new fear has become general—that the mines may catch fire at any time, and survivors are being besought by their relatives not to venture into the shafts, even for rescue work.