MineArchiveTrimsaran Colliery explosion, 1886
Firedamp exploded at Trimsaran Colliery, near Kidwelly, about midnight on 19 November 1886, fatally burning three colliers; one of their lamps was found with its gauze off.
| Date | 19 November 1886 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Trimsaran Colliery |
| Region | Carmarthenshire |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 3 (Three.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
Firedamp ignited at a safety lamp found with its gauze removed.
What happened
About midnight on Friday 19 November 1886 gas exploded in a working place at Trimsaran Colliery, burning three colliers: William Daniel, 22, David John, 28, and Thomas Jones, 39. They walked out of the mine and smoked their pipes, and at first were not thought to be badly hurt, but David John died the next day and the other two within the following days. One of their safety lamps was found afterwards with the gauze removed. The inspector's report noted that the ground was disturbed and more gas than usual may have been given off, that air doors may have leaked, and that no one was directly in charge of the place.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- An explosion of firedamp at Trimsaran Colliery about midnight on 19 November 1886 burned three colliers, William Daniel, David John and Thomas Jones, all of whom died within days. 1,2,3
- One of their lamps was found afterwards with its gauze removed. 1,2
- The men were not thought badly burned at first and smoked their pipes after coming out of the mine. 2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Firedamp exploded at Trimsaran Colliery, near Kidwelly, about midnight on 19 November 1886, fatally burning…” - Firedamp (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Firedamp exploded at Trimsaran Colliery, near Kidwelly, about midnight on 19…” - Safety Lamp (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the cause: “Firedamp ignited at a safety lamp found with its gauze removed.”
Sources
- (primary) Trimsaran Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) Welsh mining fatalities, 1886 — Welsh Coal Mines
- (primary) Explosion at Trimsaran Colliery: three men killed (Cardiff Times, 27 November 1886) — Welsh Newspapers (National Library of Wales)
Record created: 8 October 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026