Universal Colliery

Universal Colliery was a coal mine located in Senghenydd in the Aber Valley, roughly four miles north-west of the town of Caerphilly.

Started in 1891, it became a ventilation facility for the Windsor Colliery in 1928 before complete closure in 1988.

Universal Colliery suffered the first of two major gas and coal dust explosions on 24 May 1901.

Damage was sustained to both shafts, resulting in a restricted rescue attempt, and 81 of the 82 men working in the mine were killed.

[2] On the 14 October 1913 Senghenydd suffered the worst mining disaster and the single worst industrial accident in Britain's history, when a second gas explosion occurred, resulting in the loss of 439 lives.