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Glossary

Firedamp

A mix of potentially explosive gases found underground. Such a mixture contained Methane (CH4) which would explode if ignited by a spark. The miner's safety lamp, (see Stephenson, George), was to provide light shielded from the gas so as to stop any explosions. Prior to this firedamp had been ignited in several collieries with attendant injuries and loss of life.

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