 Grain Elevator after a Dust Explosion at Port Colborne, Ontario | |
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| Date | August 9, 1919 (1919-08-09) |
|---|---|
| Time | 1:15 p.m./13:15,Eastern Standard Time |
| Location | Port Colborne,Ontario, Canada |
| Coordinates | 42°52′25″N79°15′10″W / 42.8736°N 79.2528°W /42.8736; -79.2528 |
| Deaths | 10 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 16 |
ThePort Colborne explosion atPort Colborne,Ontario was a dust explosion in the Dominion grain elevator on August 9, 1919. The blast killed 10 and seriously injured 16 more.
Adust explosion is the rapidcombustion of fine particles suspended in the air within an enclosed location. Dust explosions can occur where any dispersed powderedcombustible material is present in high-enough concentrations in the atmosphere or otheroxidizing gaseous medium, such as pureoxygen. Dust explosions are a frequent hazard incoal mines,grain elevators, and other industrial environments. The Port Colborne explosion was just one of five that occurred in North America between May 20 to September 13, 1919, due to a lack of regulations concerninggrain shipment. The series of dust explosions resulted in 70 deaths and many more injuries.[1]
Servicing the grain exports of Canada the concrete structure that had a capacity of 2,250,000 US bushels (79,000 m3) was completely destroyed as well as thesteamerQuebec which was berthed next to the elevator. The explosion sent flames hundreds of feet in the air and debris was blown 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away.[2][3]
| Event | Date | Location | Country | Source material | Fatalities | Injuries | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Works explosion | May 20, 1919 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |  United States | Feed grinding plant | 3 | 4 | The blast was felt for miles around and completely leveled the plant owned by the company. |
| Douglas Starch Works explosion | May 22, 1919 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | United States | corn starch | 43 | 30 | The blast was felt for miles around and completely leveled the plant owned by the company. |
| Port Colborne explosion | August 9, 1919 | Port Colborne, Ontario |  Canada | grain | 10 | 16 | Blast also destroyed the steamerQuebec which was near the grain elevator |
| Large terminal grain elevator in Kansas City | September 13, 1919 | Kansas City, Missouri | United States | 14 | 10 | Originated in basement of elevator, during a cleanup period, and travelled up through the elevator shaft |