Explosion rips through part of K'bridge

1955

Shattered glass

An explosion rocked Kingsbridge in June 1955. It was caused by chemicals used to bleach flour at a manufacturing plant.

The force of the blast, which occurred near the Kingsbridge freight yards, sent pots, pans and pictures crashing to the floor in homes nearby. Windows rattled for a quarter-mile. Warm early summer temperatures meant many in nearby homes had their windows open when the explosion happened, possibly reducing the number of injuries, according to a fireman at the scene.

"If those windows had been closed, they would have been shattered and the flying glass could have done a lot of damage," he said.

There was only one reported injury. The owner of the plant suffered severe burns to his hands and face.

"There was a blinding flash, followed by an explosion," he said.

It was the second explosion at the plant. In 1940, the roof was blown off the building when another batch of chemicals ignited.