MineArchiveWest Cannock Colliery gob fire explosion, 1887
Gases given off by a gob fire exploded at West Cannock Colliery, Hednesford, on 21 September 1887, burning three rock rippers who died over the following fortnight.
| Date | 21 September 1887 |
|---|---|
| Mine | West Cannock Colliery |
| Region | Staffordshire |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 3 (Three killed: James Owen, Richard Stanley and Enoch Owen, all of burns within a fortnight.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
Gases from a gob fire exploded.
What happened
On 21 September 1887 gases from a gob fire exploded at the West Cannock Colliery Company's pit at Hednesford, burning three rock rippers. James Owen, 21, died two days later, Richard Stanley, 59, on 28 September and Enoch Owen, 50, on 4 October.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 21 September 1887 gases from a gob fire exploded at West Cannock Colliery, Hednesford, burning three rock rippers, all of whom died. 1,2,3
- James Owen, 21, died on 23 September, Richard Stanley, 59, on 28 September and Enoch Owen, 50, on 4 October. 1,2,3
- The colliery belonged to the West Cannock Colliery Co. 1,3
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “Gases given off by a gob fire exploded at West Cannock Colliery, Hednesford, on 21 September 1887, burning three rock rippers who…” - Goaf (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “On 21 September 1887 gases from a fire in the gob, the worked-out ground behind the face, exploded at the West Cannock…” - Ripping (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…Colliery, Hednesford, on 21 September 1887, burning three rock rippers who died over the following fortnight.” - Spontaneous Combustion (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Gases given off by a gob fire exploded at West Cannock Colliery, Hednesford, on 21 September 1887,…”
Sources
- (secondary) Mining victims, 1880s, S (Stephenson) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's list of mining victims)
- (primary) West Cannock Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
- (primary) Colliery accident, West Cannock, 21 September 1887 — Durham Mining Museum
Record created: 8 October 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026