On Wednesday 19th January, Mr. Booth, coroner resumed the inquiry respecting the death of five men who were killed in the explosion in Jammage colliery, near Chesterton, North Staffordshire, on the 5th January.

Mr Wynne, Government Inspector and Mr. Gilroy, Assistant Inspector, were present. Mr. Ackril watched the inquiry on behalf of the owners of the colliery.

Michael Wood, Butty, who was examined at the opening of the inquest, was recalled and in reply to Mr. Wynne, said he had never heard of a shot being fired by anyone other than a Butty or Fireman. He fired a shot in the place where Macphearson (one of the deceased) worked on the morning of the 5th and two shots were fired afterwards. He did not know who fired them. Barry was the fireman on duty from seven to two and Sharples was the fireman from two o'clock. If properly fired, these two shots were fired by one of these men.

A shot was fired in Darlington ’s place ( Darlington was another of the deceased) but the witness did not know who did it. Mr. Wynne examined the witness at some length as to the arrangements, ventilation, area and condition of the workings, which had been laid out under the direction of himself and the manager. Plans were also produced.

The pit was examined in the morning, the airway was clear, every part of the pit was clear and the current of air good and that would keep Darlington ’s place clear. Every part of the pit was clear of any symptoms of gas.

Shots were fired by “touch” from the lamp and there were cases where the top of the lamp taken off for this purpose. It was not strictly forbidden to take off the lamp for firing.

Two of the deceased had keys with them. It was stated, when the tops of the lamp were removed for firing, it was done by a proper person, and after a proper examination.

John Thomson, the Butty, said he went down the pit at 5.30am on the morning in question.

Jones, the night fireman who was waiting to go off duty, said the pit was all right. The witness did not examine the mine, but between eight and nine he went to the part of the pit where the explosion occurred to fire a shot in Daniel Proctor’s place. He examined every part of the workings, and found them all perfectly safe. There was no trace of gas whatever. That was the only place where he new of a shot being fired that morning, except in Macphearson’s workings. The rule of the mine was for the powder to be taken down in cartridges, in tin cases, and for the fireman to see the shot-holes properly charged, and fire the shot himself.

Thomson had never heard of the rule being broken. It was the duty of the fireman to examine the workings, and see that they were free from gas. The Banbury seam had been open about eight or nine months, and he had been through the workings every day but had never found gas. Questioned by Mr. Wynne, Thomson replied that he had never known a collier fire shots except with the express permission of the fireman.

Thomson was also examined by the Inspector, Mr. Wynne, as to the ventilation and arrangements of the mine.

Men had been seen smoking on the bank, but not in the pit. There was an order against smoking in the pits. The men were required to leave their pipes and matches on the bank when descending the pit.