MineArchiveBig Pit explosion (1908)
A localised underground explosion killed three men.
| Date | 11 December 1908 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Big Pit |
| Region | Torfaen |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 3 |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A coroner's court found the explosion was caused by a naked light — an open flame, probably from a miner's lamp — held by one of the men, which ignited gas underground.
What happened
On 11 December 1908, a localised explosion underground at Big Pit killed three men: George Williams (54), John Jones (21) and Nathaniel Brankley (34).
Investigation & inquiry
The deaths were examined at a coroner's court, which returned a finding that the explosion had been caused by a naked light held by one of the miners.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- George Williams (54), John Jones (21) and Nathaniel Brankley (34) died in a localised explosion on 11 December 1908. 1
- A coroner's court found the explosion was caused by a naked light held by one of the miners. 1
- The Wikipedia article on Big Pit National Coal Museum independently gives the same date and the same three names for this explosion. 2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Naked Light (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the cause: “A coroner's court found the explosion was caused by a naked light — an open flame, probably from a miner's lamp — held by one of the…”
Sources
- (secondary) Big Pit Blaenavon — Welsh Coal Mines
- (secondary) Big Pit National Coal Museum — Wikipedia
Record created: 20 August 2026 · Last researched: 20 August 2026