RETRO: When dozens of Notts miners were killed by fire 300m underground

This vintage newsreel footage shows the scene of a rescue operation and an emotional service after a tragic fire at Cresswell Colliery.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Mar 2017, 16:02 BST
Updated 8th Apr 2017, 22:28 BST
Old news reel footage from the Cresswell pit disaster in 1950.Old news reel footage from the Cresswell pit disaster in 1950.
Old news reel footage from the Cresswell pit disaster in 1950.

Lionel Gamlin reported for the Movietone reel in 1950 after the 'Cresswell Pit Disaster' rocked the whole of the UK.

He said: "Once again tragedy overtakes the coalfields.

"At Cresswell Colliery near Worksop Fire mysteriously broke out a thousand feet below the surface.

Scenes from the pit near Mansfield and Worksop show the panic at the pit head.Scenes from the pit near Mansfield and Worksop show the panic at the pit head.
Scenes from the pit near Mansfield and Worksop show the panic at the pit head.
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"It was soon blazing along the whole length of the conveyor belt.

"But after the first few men escaped quickly form the fumes, no others were brought up."

Some 80 miners were left trapped by the fire and 2,000 people gathered at the pit head for a service to honour the men who lot their lives in the their 'honourable and dangerous calling.'