The pit appears to have been gassy and in the days before safety lamps were introduced there were a number of fatal explosions. 60 lives were recorded as having been lost in 1727, a further 31 lost in an explosion on 11 April 1797. On 11 October 1799 a "violent explosion took place in Lumley colliery ... by which ... thirty-nine human beings were launched into eternity". The following century saw more explosions. On 9 October 1819 there was an explosion in George pit. It is thought that a fall of the roof released firedamp which was ignited by a candle. 11 men were killed instantly, two more (including the hewer whose candle caused the blast) died the following day of their injuries. In 1824 another explosion killed 14 people and on 20 July 1827 a man went into the wrong area with a candle and triggered an explosion. Nine men were burnt, one of whom subsequently died.