1946 — July 18, Butane Gas Explosion, Christy’s Spa & 3 frame buildings, Onset, MA —  9 

Latest edit 11-6-2023 by Wayne Blanchard for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

—  9  Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. “Onset Blast Kills 9, Injures 25.” 7-19-1946, p.1.

—  9  NFPA. “Gas Explosions.” Quarterly of the [NFPA], Vol. 43, No. 4, April 1950, p. 295.

Narrative Information

National Fire Protection Association, Gas Explosions: “Restaurant, Onset, Mass., July 18, 1946.  A plumber who was called to repair a gas leak accidentally broke the high pressure line near the meter.  This released large quantities of gas in Christy’s Spa in the center of the business district.  A resultant explosion shattered four frame buildings, killed nine persons and injured scores of others.  The gas, butane, was supplied from underground mains by the Buzzards Bay Gas Company.  The gas company was called for assistance by the plumber at 12:35.  The Onset Fire Department had roped off the area between 12:35 and 1:00 p.m., when the odorized gas fumes gave a danger warning.  The utility company was criticized in the inquest report as having been very slow in responding to the emergency call, but had done so approximately ten minutes before the explosion occurred (1:00 p.m.).  The ignition source was suspected as an electric motor….” National Fire Protection Association.   “Gas Explosions.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, Vol. 43, No. 4, April 1950, p. 295.)

Newspaper

Associated Press: “Onset (AP) – Nine persons were dead and 25 others were hospitalized today, all victims of a violent gas explosion that blasted four buildings into splinters in the center of this Buzzard’s Bay village.  The blockbuster-like explosion rocked the entire village about noon yesterday, when, the state fire marshal’s office said, a gas main was punctured by a workman digging in a cellar at Christy’s Spa.  Four two-story wooden buildings were flattened, burying some of the victims beneath shattered debris while scores of others were cut by flying glass or suffered from shock.

“Army Lieut. John E. Bassett, who was within 100 yards of the blast, said, ‘it was like a blockbuster.’ He reported a fire that broke out was quickly extinguished by firemen, preventing possibly more casualties.

“The last body was taken from the wreckage about nine hours after the blast that sent emergency

crews from several near-by towns into action.  About 30 injured were transported in ambulances and private automobiles to Tobey Hospital, Wareham, while four were taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, Middleboro, and four more to St. Luke’s Hospital, New Bedford. Several of the injured

were discharged after treatment.  Police said the scene resembled a battlefield dressing station….

“The Board of Selectmen of Wareham (Onset is a village of Wareham) called a state of emergency and state guards were assigned to the blast area.

“Eyewitnesses reported some victims were blown bodily from the buildings into Onset Avenue. Concussion tossed plates and utensils to the ceiling in a restaurant 230 feet from the scene.”  (Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. “Onset Blast Kills 9, Injures 25.” 7-19-1946, p.1.)

Sources

Berkshire Evening Eagle, Pittsfield, MA. “Onset Blast Kills 9, Injures 25.” 7-19-1946, p.1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=4011242&sterm=onset+explosion

National Fire Protection Association.  “Gas Explosions.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, Vol. 43, No. 4, April 1950, pp. 287-309.