1959 — Aug 18, Service Station fire and gasoline storage tanks explode, Kansas City, KS– 6

–6 Bugbee. “Fire Protection Developments in 1959.” NFPA Quarterly, 53/3, Jan 1960, 177.
–6 Firehouse. “KS Blast in 1959 Killing MO Firefighters Spurred Changes.” 8-18-2019.

Narrative Information

Bugbee/NFPA: “In Kansas City, Kansas, on August 18, a fire starting at a loading rack of a combined bulk plant and service station resulted in the explosion of an inade¬quately vented aboveground gasoline storage tank and caused six deaths and 64 injuries to firemen.” (Bugbee, Percy. “Fire Protection Developments in 1959.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, Vol. 53, No. 3, Jan 1960, pp. 177-180.)

Firehouse: “On Aug. 18, 1959, a Kansas gasoline tank explosion killed six people, including five Missouri firefighters. Sixty years later, that tragedy spurred changes to better protect the public and firefighters.

“The blast happened on Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, KS, and Kansas City, MO, firefighters Virgil Sams, Delbert Stone and Neal Owen, as well as Capts. Peter Sirna and George Bartels, died from battling the blaze, KSHB-TV reports. Departments from both states honored those men and the civilian who lost his life in the fire Friday at a memorial for the incident near the state line….

“Because of the explosion, gas tanks are now put underground, a move that eliminates the problems encountered in 1959. Firefighters also have changed how they tackle such incidents. ‘We know now where the weaker spots are, we attack [above-ground tanks] from the sides, cool the tank down, instead of from the ends which are the weaker spots. It has definitely changed the tactics and also the storage of fuel,’ Deputy Chief Jimmy Walker told KSHB.” (Firehouse. “KS Blast in 1959 Killing MO Firefighters Spurred Changes.” 8-18-2019.)

Newspaper:

Associated Press: “Kansas City (AP) – Racing flames from exploding gasoline and oil tanks today injured 62 or more persons, most of them firemen. There were conflicting reports on whether any were killed. Fire Chief Francis Doherty of Kansas City, Kan., and his department said they received reports four Kansas City, Mo., firemen were killed….Six of the 62 or more hospitalized were reported in critical condition….

“The fire sprung up in a filling station where two men were filling a gasoline truck. As it spread four 25,000-gallon storage tanks exploded. Several lesser explosions belched out of the mass of flames and smoke. One of the large tanks spewed flaming fuel into a group of firemen. Several of the men were felled. These flames shot out 200 feet, crossing one street and searing down another street. The tanks exploded one by one as leaping flames licked at them.

“James Mitchum, 33, of Shawnee Kan., and Fred Berry, 32, of Kansas City, Mo., said they had partly filled their gasoline truck when a blaze shot up from inside the truck. They were using two hoses to fill the truck’s compartments. Berry managed to shut off the valve on his hose, but Mitchum couldn’t turn his off. Mitchum’s arms were sprayed with burning gasoline. The two men ran to sound an alarm.

“Soon the Continental Oil Co. (Conoco) filling station was engulfed in flames. Both Kansas Citys rushed extra fire equipment to the scene, but the flames spread toward tanks at the rear and side of the station. Firemen fought under the handicap and danger of leaping flames and belching black smoke that darkened the area and was visible several miles away. Gradually they won their fight, and the fire was out about three hours after it started.

“The sixth or seventh tank to explode was the one that sent the flames searing across the street and engulfing a business structure. The flames also engulfed a fire truck….” (Assoc. Press. “At Least 62 Hurt in K.C. as Fire Hits Fuel Tanks.” Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. 8-18-1959, p.1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “At Least 62 Hurt in K.C. as Fire Hits Fuel Tanks.” Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. 8-18-1959, p. 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=169249570&sterm=kansas+city

Bugbee, Percy. “Fire Protection Developments in 1959.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, Vol. 53, No. 3, Jan 1960, pp. 177-180.

Firehouse. “KS Blast in 1959 Killing MO Firefighters Spurred Changes.” 8-18-2019. Accessed 12-12-2022 at: https://www.firehouse.com/safety-health/video/21093113/kansas-city-ks-blast-in-59-killing-mo-firefighters-spurred-safety-changes