1964 American Cyanamid explosion

1964 explosion in Edinburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. 1964 07 06 American Cyanamid Chemical Plant, Edinburg 41 00 52 N 80 26 12 W source:frwiki_type:event title,inline 5 killed On July 6, 1964, a large explosion engulfed the American Cyanamid chemical plant in Edinburg, Pennsylvania.LCHS 2013-06-29 Eyewitness to Powder Plant Explosion - Lawrence County Historical Society https://www.lawrencechs.org/eyewitness-to-powder-plant-explosion/ 2025-12-18 en-US 5 workers were killed, and the blast damaged dozens of buildings in the immediate area. The explosion resulted from the ignition of chemical materials within the facility. Emergency response efforts were complicated by the presence of toxic substances, raising concerns about potential health and environmental impacts on surrounding communities.Dan Irwin 2014-07-04 American Cyanamid Blast, Part 1: Life was good before 1964 explosion https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/american-cyanamid-blast-part-1-life-was-good-before-1964-explosion/article_d9d67722-6e2c-55bf-8302-acc124538054.html 2025-12-18 New Castle News en Background The site of the 1964 explosion was part of a longstanding chemical and explosives manufacturing complex near Edinburg in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. The origins of the facility date back to the early 20th century, when explosives worker Job Burton founded the Burton Powder Company in 1903 to manufacture dynamite for mining and construction.Irwin Dan 2022-04-04 Anniversaries of deadly Burton blasts this week https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/anniversaries-of-deadly-burton-blasts-this-week/article_999e8bd0-b1ee-11ec-9090-8f1bec1703e3.html 2026-01-27 New Castle News en After a series of several accidental explosions,Three Killed In Powder Plant https://www.weather.gov/media/arx/nov111940/OelweinDailyRegister11121940p1.pdf The Oelwein Daily Register November 12, 1940 United Press 1 January 27, 2026United Press Blasts in Three Plants Kill or Injure Scores of Persons The Racine Journal-Times November 12, 1940 https://www.weather.gov/media/arx/nov111940/Racine11121940p1.pdf 1 January 27, 2026 the company was acquired by American Cyanamid, a major U.S. chemical conglomerate that produced fertilizers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and, at the Edinburg site, nitroglycerin-based explosives. Under Cyanamid’s ownership, the plant expanded to encompass hundreds of acres with numerous mixing houses, laboratories, and its own internal rail system. Events On July 6, 1964, a sudden ignition triggered a powerful explosion within one of the facility's operational areas, causing extensive damage to buildings and equipment.2021-10-26 Eight who died in blasts remembered at new park https://www.yahoo.com/news/eight-died-blasts-remembered-park-035900593.html 2025-12-18 Yahoo News en-US1940-11-25 Production: Accident or Villainy? https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,884212,00.html 2025-12-18 Time en-US 0040-781X Four more explosions soon followed and sent debris flying in all directions and started numerous fires. Five buildings were leveled and a company locomotive was completely destroyed.American Cyanamid Company (Burton Works) - Edinburg PA Lawrence County Memoirs http://www.lcmemoirs.com/lcmpages/202/american-cyamanid-company-burton-works-edinburg-pa 2025-12-18 www.lcmemoirs.comBurcham David 2015-04-28 New book pays tribute to American Cyanamid workers https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/new-book-pays-tribute-to-american-cyanamid-workers/article_b422159e-ed1f-11e4-91e7-d7b116e9c5b8.html 2026-01-27 New Castle News en The blasts were felt all throughout Lawrence County and windows were broken in distant locales as far as Mount Jackson.American Cyanamid Company (Burton Works) - Edinburg PA Lawrence County Memoirs http://www.lcmemoirs.com/lcmpages/202/american-cyamanid-company-burton-works-edinburg-pa#:~:text=The%20plant%20was%20a%20bit,safety%20bunkers%20dotted%20the%20landscape. 2026-01-27 www.lcmemoirs.com Emergency services responded to the scene shortly after the explosion, but firefighting and containment efforts were complicated by the presence of hazardous and toxic substances, requiring specialized handling to prevent further risk. Nearby areas were monitored for potential chemical exposure, though no widespread civilian harm was documented, and five square miles of Union Township reportedly were evacuated by police and civil defense officials.Irwin Dan 2014-07-05 American Cyanamid Blast, Part 2: Workers were all too aware of what could go wrong — then it did https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/american-cyanamid-blast-part-2-workers-were-all-too-aware-of-what-could-go-wrong/article_d22a7bb0-e5bc-502e-a5b7-5c2f74706c89.html 2026-01-27 New Castle News en A total of five workers were later found dead.1964-07-08 Victims of an explosion at American Cyanamide Plant in New Castle PA https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-castle-news-victims-of-an-explosion/6378299/ 2025-12-18 New Castle News 2LCHS 2013-06-29 Eyewitness to Powder Plant Explosion - Lawrence County Historical Society https://lawrencechs.org/eyewitness-to-powder-plant-explosion/ 2026-01-27 en-US Investigation Operations at the plant were temporarily suspended following the incident while damage was assessed and safety conditions were reviewed. Investigations focused on the handling and storage of chemical materials, as well as existing safety procedures at the facility. The plant was shut down in 1971 and the property was eventually purchased by the Bruce & Merrilees Electric Company in August 1972 before being transferred to the control of the New Castle Development Corporation. Sources Category:1964 explosions Category:Lawrence County, Pennsylvania