The Great Molasses Flood: Boston’s Sticky Disaster of 1919

On January 15, 1919, a massive molasses tank burst in Boston’s North End, unleashing a wave of molasses that swept through the streets at 35 miles per hour. The disaster killed 21 people and injured 150 others, with the sticky substance making rescue efforts difficult. Buildings were destroyed, and the cleanup took months.

The Great Molasses Flood was caused by structural weaknesses in the poorly constructed tank, exacerbated by fluctuating temperatures. The incident led to stricter regulations on industrial safety and construction standards.