At about 11 a.m., the Anderton shearer loader arrived back at the stable to the left of the loader gate, having completed its second cut. P. Smith and D. Reeves, loader gate stable hole men, were instructed by Mr. Bacon, acting under-manager, to clean up on the face side of the face conveyor engine to enable it to be advanced 20 inches. They were doing this when the stone, about 3 feet by 3 feet by 18 inches, fell a height of 10 to 20 feet from the cavity above the arches, and struck the conveyor motor. Immediately there was a flash and a bang and they were thrown forward on to the floor. A ball of flame, which appeared to be red and blue in colour, passed over them and they felt the heat. There was also thick dust and smoke.

The flame travelled at least the greater part of the loader gate to its junction with 30's loader gate. It also travelled most of the length of the face. Evidence of the flame passing along the face was given by J. Hill, return gate ripper, who said that about 11.30 a.m. he and J. Flay were instructed by S. Derbyshire, shot firer, to go 30 or 40 yards up the face to act as sentries while he fired two ripping shots in the return gate. Both shots were fired. Hill says he was in a kneeling position facing the loader gate. A few minutes after the second shot was fired, he felt a gust of hot dust-laden air and saw a flame coming from the loader gate. This turned him completely round until he was facing the return gate. His left arm and neck were scorched. He got the impression that the flame travelled along the coal face to the left hand end and returned along the waste side edge.

The men on the face made their way out, together with men already in the. return gate, by groping their way in the thick dust-laden atmosphere, to 30's right side gate, through the door and sheet on this gate, to 28's loader gate. There is evidence that these men found difficulty in opening the door on 30's right gate. It could be only partly opened.

The men employed in the loader gate made their way out by groping along 28's gate conveyor to 30's loader gate where the air was clearer.

First aid was rendered to the injured men with such material as was available. Eight of them were carried out on stretchers; the remainder either ran out or were assisted out by their colleagues; some were naked to the waist.

Medical attention. In all, 25 men received burns of varying degrees. Two were allowed to go home after treatment at the colliery medical centre, and 23 were admitted to Mansfield General Hospital. Most of the injured men had arrived at the colliery medical centre by about 12.15 p.m. The National Coal Board's Area Medical Officer, Dr. Fernandez, arrived at the colliery at 12.25 p.m. and found 15 men awaiting attention. He immediately sent for ambulances and attended to the men. Dr. Round, Assistant Area Medical Officer, arrived at 12.30 p.m. The first ambulance car arrived at 12.50 p.m. and was followed quickly by others. The injured men were conveyed to hospital where a team of surgeons was ready to give the necessary attention.

Rescue teams. A call was made to Mansfield Central Rescue Station, and they called on the Chesterfield Rescue Brigade for assistance. The Mansfield team had descended the pit by noon, and the Chesterfield team was at the colliery by 12.12 p.m.

A fresh air base was established at the junction of 30's loader and 28's loader gates at 12.55 p.m. The rescue teams were informed that all the men had been accounted for but two ponies had been left 200 yards along 30's loader gate. They were brought out by the rescue team at 1.25 p.m.

The rescue team explored 28's loader gate and face and returned to the base at 2.30 p.m. They reported 3½ per cent. of firedamp at 28's return gate ripping and 2½ per cent. in 28's return gate. The smouldering on clothes and conveyor belting was suppressed by extinguishers.

Mr. Frith, Group Manager, arrived at the fresh air base at 2.40 p.m. and he instructed the rescue team to examine 28's and 30's faces and come out by 30's return gate to the fresh air base. They reported the whole district clear and the canary which they carried was not affected.