Photo of Scene of explosion of Lorry containing Gelignite - 1945
Description
15th November 1945 - A truck delivering gelignite to Marievale Gold Mine in Nigel caught fire on the final road leading to the Shaft.
The driver noted the flames, abandoned the vehicle on the road and warned all around to move away from the truck. A mine official at the offices, called the Nigel Fire department, informed them of a burning truck, but failed to mention the explosives on board. They dispatched a fire truck with three firemen. The truck rushed out and approached the truck, stopped along side it, not knowing that the truck had a load of explosives. They then proceeded to apply hosed water to the burning load. The load exploded and two firemen were killed, one instantly and the other in the hospital a few hours later. The third fireman was injured but survived.
