Black Diamond No. 12: A Mine Fire, a Sealed Slope, and 100 Men Idle

Another was added to the disastrous series of mine fires yesterday, the No. 12 mine at Black Diamond having burst into flame, but fortunately without any loss of life or personal injury. The particulars are related in the following special dispatch:

“Black Diamond, Wash., March 4. Special.—Between 3 and 4 o'clock this morning fire was discovered in the pump room in the slope of No. 12 mine. The slope is about 2,000 feet deep and the pump room is situated about two-thirds of the distance from the surface. The pump man, Gus Gustafson, was absent from his post about an hour, having occasion to go to the top of the slope. On his return he was driven back by immense volumes of smoke, which were pouring from the pump room. Gustafson gave the alarm, the whistle was blown for assistance and soon a willing crowd had assembled on top, but the fire had gained such headway that it was impossible for men to get near enough to be of any assistance. The fire is in the most serious part of the mine, and the smoke, rushing both up and down the slope, makes it impossible for any person to get near the fire from either end of the slope. Superintendent Morgans has ordered the head of the slope sealed and directed steam to be forced into the fire, and in this way he hopes to smother the flames in a week or so. About 100 men are thrown out of employment.”