Light debris from the fire was scattered across  of Gateshead and environs. Miners in Monkwearmouth colliery, the deepest in the country and  away, heard the explosion and came to the surface, concerned as to the cause.
The fire's debris scattered across Gateshead and its nearby towns. The miners at Monkwearmouth Colliery, the deepest mine in the nation and a distance away, were alerted by the blast and emerged from their underground work, concerned about the reason for the explosion.