MineArchiveAstley Green Colliery explosion, 1939
| Date | 7 June 1939 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Astley Green Colliery |
| Region | Greater Manchester |
| Primary type | Explosion |
| Associated types | Fire |
| Fatalities | 5 (Five men died, including the pit manager, who was killed while leading the firefighting effort underground.) |
| Injuries | Four further men were injured. |
| Context | During active mining |
| Status | Researched |
A firedamp explosion struck Astley Green Colliery in the early hours of 7 June 1939 while men fought an underground fire over a mile from the pit bottom, killing five men including the pit manager and injuring four more; mines rescue teams were themselves driven back by further explosions.
Cause
An underground fire, over a mile from the pit bottom, ignited firedamp (methane) that had accumulated nearby; the resulting explosion, and further explosions that followed as firefighting continued, caused the fatalities and injuries.
Contributing factors
The colliery employed around 2,000 men, with roughly 1,000 working the night shift at the time; sustained underground firefighting over several hours in a working, gassy coal mine created repeated opportunities for further ignition.
What happened
In the early hours of 7 June 1939, an explosion of firedamp struck Astley Green Colliery while men fought an underground fire more than a mile from the pit bottom. Five men died, among them the pit manager, who was killed while personally leading the firefighting effort; four more men were injured. It was the first serious accident at the colliery since its sinking in 1908.
Rescue & recovery
Mines rescue teams from Boothstown Mines Rescue Station responded to the emergency, but were themselves driven back by further explosions underground, which hampered efforts to reach trapped men and recover the dead for hours. Many miners risked their own safety helping bring victims and bodies to the surface.
Investigation & inquiry
The disaster was significant enough to be raised in the House of Commons on 4 July 1939.
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Firedamp (direct cause)
The explosion was caused by firedamp igniting during underground firefighting, the disaster's own recorded cause.
Sources
- (primary) Accident, Astley Green Colliery (Hansard, 4 July 1939) — UK Parliament (Historic Hansard)
- (secondary) Astley Green Colliery — Wikipedia
- (secondary) Astley Green Colliery Explosions - Tyldesley - 1939 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 21 August 2026 · Last researched: 21 August 2026