The colliery was known as Russell's Colliery. At the time of the disaster, there were 56 men working in the Bensham Seam to which the 'A' Pit had been sunk the previous year and the workings extended no more than 100 yards in any direction from the shaft. It was reported that 52 were killed. The 'A' shaft was divided into an upcast and a downcast section by timber brattice which was destroyed in the explosion so there was no ventilation. The blast was  stated to have "shook the ground like an earthquake and made furniture dance in neighbouring houses."