1974 Saint John gas explosion

Industrial disaster in New Brunswick, Canada 1974 Saint John gas explosion 1974 1 4 11:37 p.m. AST Eastern end of the Reversing Falls Bridge, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada 45 15 34 N 66 05 12 W inline,title 5 6 Ignition of spilled gasoline after a truck collided with a gasoline pump Explosion, fire The 1974 Saint John gas explosion was an accidental gas explosion and fire at an Irving Oil service station on January 4, 1974. located at the eastern end of the Reversing Falls Bridge in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, on January 4, 1974. The incident resulted in the deaths of five people and injuries to six others. Background The Irving Reversing Falls Service Station was a gas station operated by Irving Oil, located near the eastern end of the Reversing Falls Bridge. It was one of Irving Oil's major stations in the city.$543,000 Awarded in Explosion Suit https://www.newspapers.com/article/telegraph-journal/185019157/ November 15, 2025 Telegraph-Journal July 25, 1978 4 Incident On the evening of January 4, 1974, a Friday, at approximately 11:37 p.m. AST, a tractor-trailer unit owned by Lunn's Haulaway Ltd. and Speedway Express Ltd., and operated by Ivan R. Lunn, entered the service station to purchase diesel fuel. While maneuvering, Lunn struck and knocked over one of the gasoline pumps. The impact caused gasoline to spill and flow into the station's basement through unsealed openings beneath the dispensers. Vapours built up from the gasoline were ignited, causing an explosion that completely destroyed the service station and sent a shock wave throughout the city.Webb Steven An electric connection: A classic Fender guitar finds its way home by chance https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/guitar-mclaggan-home-by-chance-1.5552745 November 15, 2025 CBC News May 2, 2020 Casualties Five people were killed by the explosion. Three were gas station employees (Kenneth Ernest Dunham, David John McLaggan, Aubrey Eugene Johnson), and two were employed by the trucking companies (Ivan R. Lunn, William M. Corner). Six others were injured. Aftermath In the years following the explosion, nine civil actions were filed for property damages totaling $543,406.99, representing claims from over 200 individuals and corporations. Additionally, Irving sought $450,142 for the loss of the station while the trucking companies counterclaimed for their vehicle. The cases were heard in the Queen's Bench Division of the New Brunswick Supreme Court. On July 21, 1978, Justice Stuart Stratton ruled that Irving Oil was 75% liable due to negligence in the station's design. The remaining 25% liability was assigned to Lunn for knocking over the dispenser. The station was rebuilt following the incident and continued operations until 1998.MacKinnon Bobbi-Jean Reversing Falls gas station is closing https://www.newspapers.com/article/saint-john-times-globe/185019302/ November 15, 2025 Saint John Times Globe September 10, 1998 1 References Category:1974 disasters in Canada Category:1974 in New Brunswick Category:Explosions in Canada Category:Gas explosions Category:Industrial fires and explosions in Canada Category:1970s in Saint John, New Brunswick Category:Transport in Saint John, New Brunswick Category:1974 fires Category:Irving Group of Companies Category:Disasters in New Brunswick Category:Accidental deaths in New Brunswick