A DESPERATE search has been launched for four people after they disappeared down a mine shaft that later caught fire.
The search operation has been ongoing for nine hours but has since moved on from the mine after it was established the missing people managed to escape from the pit.
SWNSFirefighters conducted a search of the mine shaft but found no traces of the four missing people[/caption]
SWNSPolice, fire crews, paramedics and a Hazardous Area Response Team responded to the blaze[/caption]
The four individuals were last seen walking into the quarry at Elm Cross Yard, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, on Wednesday evening.
999 crews were scrambled to the scene after a blaze erupted and the system of caves began to fill with smoke.
Concern was raised that anyone underground could be overcome from the effects of smoke inhalation.
Six fire crews, local police, ambulance and a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) were sent to the area as the large scale search and rescue operation got underway.
The fire was eventually put out and gas monitors and thermal imagine cameras were installed inside.
Six firefighters equipped with specialised breathing apparatus conducted a search of the mine in the desperate hope of locating the missing people.
The fire crew were accompanied by HM Inspectorate of Mines and Mansfield Mine Rescue.
The four people have still not been found but it is believed they managed to escape the mine shaft before the fire broke out.
Searches for the people continued well into the early hours this morning but no trace of them has been found.
Chief Inspector Ben Huggins urged explorers to avoid mines over serious safety concerns.
In a statement, he said: “Last night, we assisted our fire service colleagues in dealing with a serious incident in a mine off Frome Road in Bradford on Avon.
“Four people were seen entering the mine at 5.30pm and two hours later smoke was reported to be coming out of it.
“The four individuals were unaccounted for and a significant amount of resources were deployed as there were concerns for their safety.
“A national, specialist mines rescue team attended and carried out a full search of the underground area which had filled with smoke.
SWNSRescue teams were unable to locate anyone in the mine shaft in the wake of the inferno[/caption]
SWNSThe four missing people are still unaccounted for after searches carried on until the early hours[/caption]
“If any of the individuals had not already left the mine at this point, it was highly unlikely that they would have survived.”
Chief Inspector Huggins continued: “Thankfully, the team concluded that the mine was empty and were able to leave safely. No injuries have been reported.
“I would like to take this opportunity to encourage people to think about the dangers of trespassing underground.
“Whilst this may seem an interesting place to explore, the reality is underground locations contain a number of hazards, dangers and difficulties presenting a potential risk to individual safety.
“Enquiries are ongoing to identify the four people involved in the incident.”
In 2018 the same quarry was the site of a £1 million cannabis bust when police discovered a massive haul of the illicit drug at the site.
The tunnels form part of a former limestone quarry covering about 10 acres or 40,000 square metres.
The quarry, used to store equipment in World War Two, later became a mushroom farm.
SWNSA massive search and rescue operation was sparked[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
