TODAY marks the 140th anniversary of the Wood Pit disaster which claimed the lives of 204 men and boys – one of the biggest tragedies to have taken place on the Lancashire Coalfield.

The explosion took place at the Wood Pit colliery in Haydock on Friday, June 7, 1878.

It is believed that flammable gases referred to as firedamp by miners, which build up as a natural by-product of coal, were released from a pocket in the coal seam.

The ensuing “very large” explosion tragically claimed the lives of 204 men and boys, and left 93 widows and 282 orphans.

Official records state that the explosion happened just before 11am.

On that morning, 250 men and boys had began work at the Wood Pit colliery site.

The Liverpool Mercury reported that the explosion is believed to have “occurred somewhere in the interior of the workings, and the quantity of gas fired was very large, the horrible blast being spread in an instant through every part of the workings, killing every man and boy who was (there), then having rushed to the mouth of the tunnel and up the tunnel to the shaft”.

It was stated how the blast caused a number of wagons in the tunnel to be driven by the force of the explosion into the roof, bringing part of it down.

It was said that “not a single man nor boy who was in or beyond the tunnel has escaped alive” and “some 16 men and boys” were brought up injured.

The “few who escaped unhurt” were in the “about the mouth of the shaft” or at the other side of the colliery.

There were many incredible acts of bravery reported following the explosion.

Among the heroes was manager of the pit, John Turton, who descended the shaft immediately after the explosion working to ventilate the mine.

He saved the lives of at least 27 men and boys who were rescued from the poisonous effects of afterdamp – which were gases of the explosion, primarily carbon monoxide.

The Liverpool Mercury added: “The disaster has been a terrible blow to the whole district, the accident has produced everywhere a feeling of consternation.

“It was believed that in the Wood pits, the dangers of wood coal getting were reduced to a minimum, the coal being worked, the Florida, is not of a fiery nature, it is true it gives off gas, but, only in small quantities.

“The management inspired every confidence, no blasting took place the coal being won by the pick, the men being provided with special safety lamps, constructed with a view to them not being opened by the miners, fastened not with the padlock but with a metal plug that could not be withdrawn.

“If a miner cut the plug in two and opened the lamp it would certainly be detected, as he could not replace the plug.”

The report added that “arrangements for ventilation were of the most complete nature and since the mine was opened some years ago it has been worked without any explosion or mishap of any consequence”.

The majority of the explosion’s victims were from the Haydock area, with some having lived in Newton and Ashton.

In the wake of the tragedy, the grieving community showed great spirit and strength under very difficult circumstances, as they came together in support of each other.

A fund was set up by Lord Derby which raised about £25,000 – roughly £2 million in today’s money.

In 2009, a Lyme and Wood Pit Mining Memorial was unveiled in commemoration of those killed in disasters at both colliery sites, with Lyme pit seeing the loss of two mines rescue men in 1946.

To honour the victims, a service will take place today (Thursday) at a memorial for the Wood Pit victims which is situated at St James the Great Church on Church Road, Haydock this afternoon.

There will be a short rededication ceremony there.

Attendees will then gather at Haydock Library for an afternoon of commemoration including a reading and performance by St Augustine’s Catholic High Choir, a talk on Haydock’s mining heritage, an exhibition of archives from the borough’s collection and artefacts from the World of Glass.