On 21 March 1898, 15 men were at work in the borehole seam of the colliery. At approximately 9:20 am a large explosion occurred, which caused widespread damage to the mine and killed 15 miners. In the days after the explosion attempts to remove the bodies were delayed due to the threat of secondary explosions. The mine was sealed as a result and the last body was removed months later on 4 August 1898.