MineArchiveGibfield Colliery explosion, 1850
On 11 February 1850 colliers at Fletcher's Gib Field Pit, Atherton, found gas in one of the bays and tried to sweep it out with their jackets. It fired at a candle that had been left burning, killing five and burning others.
| Date | 1850 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Gibfield Colliery |
| Region | Greater Manchester |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 5 (Five.) |
| Injuries | Many burned. |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
Firedamp, which the men were trying to disperse with their jackets, fired at a lighted candle left in the workings.
Contributing factors
The pit was worked with candles.
What happened
The men had gone down to work and found gas in one of the bays. The dead were T. Green, 20, R. Seddon, 41, J. Wilde, 23, J. Worthington, 46, and R. Sale, 29.
Rescue & recovery
Unknown.
Investigation & inquiry
Unknown.
Legal & regulatory aftermath
Unknown.
Changes to practice & legislation
Unknown.
Memorials & commemoration
Unknown.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- The workers found gas and tried to disperse it with their jackets; it fired at a lighted candle, killing five and burning several others. 1,2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Firedamp (direct cause)
Gas fired at a candle. - Naked Light (contributing factor)
A candle was left burning.
Sources
- (secondary) Gibfield Colliery — Wikipedia — Wikipedia
- (secondary) Chowbent Colliery Gib Field Pit Explosion - Atherton - 1850 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 22 September 2026 · Last researched: 22 September 2026