Redhead Colliery Diaster of 1926

Death Toll: 5

Cause: Fire/explosion triggered by naked flame

One man died on site, and another four injured with severe burns died at Newcastle Hospital. Many more injured but survived. The fire occured in the No 4 West Section on Thursday 21 January, 1926.The explosion and subsequent fire was caused by men who were working by the light of an open flame. An inquest revealed that that area of the mine had been inspected only a few hours earlier and no gas was found, however there was debris from a coal fall. A goverment inspection after the incident reavealed that the mine did not have enough safe, working lamps. 

There was some controversy at the inquest as Bondy Hoare, the President of the Miners' Federation was accused of bribing witnesses. He responded that money was given to families of those injured from a relief fund.  

References

"THE REDHEAD DISASTER." Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954) 11 Feb 1926: 3. Web. 11 Jul 2013 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45926413>

"REDHEAD COLLIERY." Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 - 1954) 6 Feb 1926: 5. Web. 11 Jul 2013 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93546369>.

"Colliery Disaster." Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954) 13 Feb 1926: 1. Web. 11 Jul 2013 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article95902176>.

"COLLIERY EXPLOSION FULL DETAILS NOT READY OF THE REDHEAD DISASTER." Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954) 22 Jan 1926: 1. Web. 11 Jul 2013 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45923783>.

"COLLIERY EXPLOSION." The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929) 25 Jan 1926: 11. Web. 11 Jul 2013 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64328571>.

"REDHEAD COLLIERY EXPLOSION." The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929) 5 Feb 1926: 13. Web. 11 Jul 2013 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64317155>.

Redhead Colliery, Medical Communication Unit, University of Newcastle, Cultrual Collections.