The Mount Kembla Mine Disaster was the worst non-natural, non-nautical disaster in Australia's history. It occurred at the Colliery adjacent to the village at 2pm on 31 July 1902. The explosion was caused by the igniting of gas in the mine by the naked flames used as torches by the miners. 96 men and boys were killed in the gas and coal dust explosion. Hundreds of people helped in the rescue of the survivors of the disaster.