On 14 October 1904, a fire broke out in the upper workings of the Brilliant Mine at Charters Towers. Seven different mines with extensive underground workings extending over a large area were connected with the burning mine, requiring shafts to be sealed down and other steps taken in an attempt to smother the flames.

Fumes rose up the shaft and while firefighters extinguished the flames in the shaft the timber below continued to burn. Seven miners were killed.