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 light of the flames could be seen, reflected in the sky,  away at Northallerton. And whilst the report of the explosion travelled so far, people on the scene were insensible of it.