Page:Accidents and disasters on land.pdf/6

 at the dead crop or out-burst of coal to the surface, where a heap of mire rubbish had been kindled, and from its continuing to burn for many months, had communicated fire to the coal, which was only a few feet from this burning mass. The fire is amongst the rubbish of the old work, and so close to the crop of the coal that the heat has the effect of melting the snow presently on the ground there. The fire is in a state of simple agitation, that is red hot, but no flame, and it is surprising to find how very little progress it has made in the space of ten years. It is very remarkable that no smoke or vapour from the burning mass has appeared at any one of the numerous pits which are upon this nine-feet coal; it is concluded, however, that the great extent of waste or old mines around, condenses the smoke and vapour, which are generated slowly, and in very small quantities. Effectual measures are now in progress to extinguish the fire, which will be easily accomplished, without any loss whatever to the earl of Mansfield, who is the proprietor of the coal field. Very exaggerated accounts are afloat regarding this fire, as if it were like Etna or Vesuvius vomiting flame; but such is its quiet state, that a stranger may walk over the spot where the fire is, and not discern or suspect that such a process is going on below ground.