Dumbreck 30 January 1938
9 killed in fire
- Peter Byrne, brusher, single, age 58
- Joseph Campbell, fireman, married, age 59
- Henry Hagan, brusher, married, age 38
- Joseph Mervin Kelly, brusher, married, age 30
- Joseph Martin, brusher, single, age 26
- James Martin, brusher, married, age 38
- Robert Martin, brusher, married, age 35 (James & Robert were brothers)
- Edward O'Neill, brusher, single, age 23
- Peter Walker, brusher, married, age 36
Newspaper Reports
Nine Men Dead In Pit Fire - Rescuers Beaten By Smoke
Glasgow 30 January - Nine Scottish miners who were entombed in a blazing pit near Kilsyth, Stirlingshire, today, were found dead shortly before 10 o'clock to-night after heroic efforts to rescue them. It is believed that they died of suffocation.
The pit is the Kelly section of the Dumbreck No. 1 Colliery, belonging to Messrs. William Baird, and is situated about a mile and a half from Kilsyth, which is nearly 13 miles from Glasgow.
From shortly after midday rescue workers risked their own lives in gallant attempts to get through the blazing workings, but in vain. After hours of effort they were still encouraged to persevere by the hope that they might be able to get into some part of the pit where they would be free from the smoke until the imprisoned workers could force a way through.
There were 10 men working in the squad when the outbreak occurred about noon, and only one of them, Thomas Martin, of Kingston Flats, Kilsyth, the contractor in charge, was able to escape.
The men who have lost their lives are: -
Robert Martin, 36, of Queenzieburn; James Martin, of Croy; Joseph Martin, 23 of Kirklands Crescent, Kilsyth; Edward O'Neill, Manse Road, Kilsyth; Joseph Campbell, fireman, of Kilsyth; Peter Byrne, 32, of Kingston Flats, Kilsyth ; Henry Hagen, of Manse Road, Kilsyth; Joseph Kelly junior, of Twechar; and Peter Walker, of Kilsyth.
Robert and James Martin were brothers of Thomas Martin, who escaped; Joseph Martin was his nephew.
Survivor's Efforts
About noon Thomas Martin noticed smoke in the haulage way where he was working and went to investigate. As he walked along the road he found the atmosphere becoming thicker, but he struggled through with great difficulty for about half a mile. When he reached clearer air he found that some pit props were burning. Martin made a desperate effort to get back and warn his companions, but could not retrace his steps because of the thick smoke. He then telephoned to the pithead, and rescue brigades and volunteer squads turned out. Martin, unwilling to leave his mates in danger, was anxious to accompany the volunteers, but with difficulty he was persuaded to go home as he was in no fit state to help in the rescue work. [Times 31 January 1938]
Inquiry Into Scottish Pit Disaster
Stirling March 27 - When the public inquiry into the fire at Dumbreck Colliery, Kilsyth, on January 30, as the result of which nine men lost their lives, was continued at Stirling yesterday a denial was given to a statement made at the previous day's hearing by Thomas Martin, who was the sole survivor of the trapped party.
Questioning William McAlpine, the colliery agent, Mr. A. Stoker, senior Inspector of Mines for the West of Scotland, said it had been declared that fighting the fire was the first object and no consideration was given to the rescue of the men. McAlpine replied that with another man he tried to get along the main return way to reach a point beyond the fire. Both of them were forced to go back as the smoke was beating them, and the visibility was so bad that no one could penetrate, even with apparatus. He risked his life trying to get to the men.
Summing-up Sheriff J. Dean Leslie said he was sure that no parties appearing there could go away thinking that there had been anything really serious which had not been thoroughly investigated.
The jury, without retiring, returned a verdict that the nine men died of asphyxia due to the inhalation of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. [Times 28 March 1938]