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The Silvertown explosion - 19 January 1917
The Silvertown explosion - 19 January 1917
On 19 January 1917 at around 7 pm, a massive explosion tore through a former chemical works that had been converted to a TNT factory in London's East End. Shockwaves from the explosion at the former Brunner Mond & Co works were reported in Essex, and the blast was heard in Kent, Southampton and Norwich. Part of the factory was destroyed, as were several nearby streets. The force of the explosion showered molten metal for several miles. Between 60,000 and 70,000 buildings were damaged, including docks, warehouses, factories and a gasometer, which exploded, creating a massive fireball. The repair bill totalled some £0.25 million and the blast destroyed or badly damaged around 900 homes, leaving thousands homeless. 73 people were killed, including firemen from the nearby station, dockers, Brunner Mond employees and children asleep in their beds. More than 400 people were injured, 94 seriously. This community remembers the dead and injured (identified from inquest and other newspaper reports), those who had a lucky escape and those who served with the emergency services. Please do add further information if you can. For more details on the explosion, see the Museum of London's video at: http://blog.museumoflondon.org.uk/silvertown-disaster-1917/
Created by: , Ann39898
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Born 1911
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Civilian war death
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Born 1896
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Civilian war death
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Born 1895
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Civilian war death
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Born 1903
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Civilian war death
More about Stanley Walter Wass -
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Born 1890
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Civilian war death
Other Empire Force Munition Worker Brunner Mond Chemical Works
More about Sidney Joseph Benstead -
Born 1890
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Civilian War Death Brunner Mond Chemical Works
More about John George Chandler -
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Born 1907
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Civilian war death
More about John Thomas Mason -
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Born 1872
Died 1950
Other Empire Force War Photographer
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Born 1910
Died 1986
Other Empire Force Refugee Child Civilian
More about James John Beckford -
Born 1878
Other Empire Force Fireman West Ham Fire Brigade
More about James Joseph Betts -
Born 1857
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Civilian war death
More about Henry George Lidbury -
Born 1877
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Chief Chemist Brunner Mond Chemical Works
More about Andrea Angel -
Born 1856
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Watchman Civilian war death Brunner Mond Chemical Works
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