MineArchiveFochriw Colliery explosion, 1865
On Wednesday morning, 10 May 1865, firedamp exploded in the stall of James Jones at the Dowlais Iron Company's new pit at Fochriw, one of the deepest in the district. Fourteen men and boys were burned, some so badly they were carried home on planks; a boy of fifteen died.
| Date | 1865 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Fochriw Colliery |
| Region | Caerphilly |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 1 (One: John Hughes, 15, died later. Welsh Coal Mines says a number died of their injuries; the Merthyr Express reported only his death.) |
| Injuries | Fourteen burned, several seriously. |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
Firedamp ignited at James Jones's lamp in his stall.
Contributing factors
Unknown.
What happened
The injured, from eleven to forty-nine years old, included James Jones, 40, John Hughes, 15, who worked with him, Evan Evans, 49, and Evan Evans, 11, of the same address, and boys of eleven. The damage to the workings was slight. It was the first of three explosions in the Dowlais Company's pits within a month.
Rescue & recovery
Unknown.
Investigation & inquiry
An inquest on John Hughes was opened by the coroner George Overton and adjourned for a month.
Legal & regulatory aftermath
Unknown.
Changes to practice & legislation
Unknown.
Memorials & commemoration
Unknown.
What's uncertain
Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.
- The explosion badly burned fourteen men, a number of whom died later of their injuries. (disputed) 2
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- An explosion on 10 May 1865 at the New Pit, Vochriw, injured fourteen men and boys; it took place in the stall of James Jones. 1
- John Hughes, 15, who worked with James Jones, whose lamp exploded the gas, died of his injuries. 1
- The explosion badly burned fourteen men, a number of whom died later of their injuries. (disputed) 2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Firedamp (direct cause)
Gas fired at a lamp. - Stall (contextual relationship)
The explosion was in a stall.
Sources
- (primary) Merthyr Express, 12 and 26 May 1865 — People's Collection Wales
- (secondary) Fochrhiw colliery — welshcoalmines.co.uk
Record created: 22 September 2026 · Last researched: 22 September 2026