31. Firedamp was collected in a gasometer from the upper workings and used to light the main roads underground.32. It was liable to sudden inrushes of firedamp , sometimes sufficient to put out the Geordie lamps used. 33. Firedamp was ignited by an open acetylene cap lamp and the initial explosion started fires which spread rapidly.34. Firedamp explosions can trigger the much more dangerous coal dust explosions, which can engulf an entire pit.35. Firedamp explosions continued, often setting off coal dust explosions, so casualties grew during the entire 19th century.36. Rescue parties explored number 3 pit as far as they could, but were limited by chokedamp and firedamp . 37. Firedamp explosions can trigger the much-more-dangerous coal dust explosions, which can engulf an entire pit.38. Indeed, the lamp burns brighter in dangerous atmospheres thus acting as a warning to miners of rising firedamp levels. 39. Most of the deaths in coal mine disasters were caused by inhalation of the toxic gases produced by firedamp explosions. 40. It was caused by the ignition of coal dust following an explosion of firedamp , killed 290 men and boys.
