1932 — March 9, Explosion, NJ Public Service Co. Gas Plant, South Camden, NJ      —     14

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 1-17-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–14  NFPA. “Fires in Which There Was Loss of Life,” NFPA Quarterly, V25/4, Apr 1932, 415.

–14  Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “Fourteen Dead When Purifying Tank Explodes,” 3-9-1932, p.1.

Narrative Information

National Fire Protection Association Quarterly: “[A]…disaster took place at Camden, J.J., on March 9, 1932, when an explosion in the purifying box at a gas plant killed fourteen men. The explosion took place shortly after nineteen men had entered the tank. One of them noticed a small fire in the corner of the tank and shouted a warning. Five of the men escaped, although injured, but the others were instantly killed. Reports indicate that the initial fire may have been due to the spontaneous ignition of ferrous-oxide, and the explosion to a leaking gas valve.” (NFPA Quarterly, V25, N4, Apr 1932, 415.)

Newspaper

March 9, INS: “Camden, N.J., Mar. 9 (INS) – Fourteen men were killed and four others injured in the terrific blast at the New Jersey Public Service company plant in South Camden today, it was officially announced shortly before noon…. Nineteen employees in all were in the gas tank when the blast took place…[a spokesman] said. Four of them were burned and taken to a local hospital.  One man alone escaped unhurt.  The other 14 were trapped in the tank and never had a chance.  They perished either from the fire or poisonous acid fumes which followed in the wake of the disastrous blast.  An investigation has been launched to determine the origin of the explosion.

“The bodies of those recovered were extricated from the box by hooks and grappling irons. Many of the victims had been out of work and were employed for the day only…The victims were burned almost beyond recognition.

“The gas was cleared from the purifying tank box which is perched 15 feet above the ground, officials said, and the day force of 15 men which came on duty at 7 a.m., were ordered to clean the caked refuse from the bottom of the tank. They started the task. About fifteen minutes later a terrific blast occurred in the huge steel box-like affair.  Those on hop were hurled to the ground as flames shot skyward….Firemen soon extinguished the flames. When they attempted to enter the tank, however, the deadly acid fumes penetrated their gas masks and they were forced to resort to grappling for the bodies of the victims. The cause of the blast is undetermined.” (Tyrone Daily Herald (PA).  “Fourteen Dead When Purifying Tank Explodes,” March 9, 1932, p. 1.)

Sources

National Fire Protection Association. “Fires in Which There Was Loss of Life.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, Vol. 25, No. 4, April 1932, pp. 414-415.

Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “Fourteen Dead When Purifying Tank Explodes,” 3-9-1932, p. 1.  Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=106819633