Event    From 17/7/1969  To 17/7/1969

Dudgeon's Wharf explosion

Categories: Tragedy

J. & W. Dudgeon were shipbuilders on the Thames. The company passed through several hands, eventually becoming a large complex of oil storage tanks, but retaining Dudgeon's name. Amazingly they survived the Blitz and continued operations until 1951. When the site was being demolished a fire broke out and resulted in the largest loss of life within the UK’s fire service since WW2.

Fire teams arrived and, believing the fire to be out, they put a curtain of water into the open top manhole of tank 97. It is believed that this pull of water drew air into the tank, mixing with the flammable vapours. It was then decided that in order to ensure there was no further fire, the bottom manhole should be opened. Unable to find a spanner to undo the nuts, they tried to burn them off. As soon as a workman applied the cutting flame to the first nut, the vapours inside the tank ignited, blowing the roof off the tank, and killed five firemen and a demolition worker. This website gives much more information about the history of the site.

From Red Plaque: "The Dudgeon’s Wharf disaster led to a new code of practice for UK firefighters when removing tanks with flammable substances. It also helped to bring about the Hazchem Code, the now well-known visual signage of dangerous and volatile substances contained in all buildings, vehicles and storage areas lorries. Introduced in the 1970s, the Code makes it simpler for firefighters to identify and tackle dangerous chemicals during incidents, protecting themselves and the public."

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Dudgeon's Wharf explosion

Commemorated ati

Dudgeon's Wharf explosion - oblong plaque

The unveiling of this plaque was reported in the East London Advertiser of 24...

Read More

Dudgeon's Wharf explosion - red plaque

Unveiled on the 50th anniversary of the fire.

Read More

Other Subjects

Elizabeth Kotronakis

Elizabeth Kotronakis

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Alice Howell

Alice Howell

Drowned in the 1898 HMS Albion disaster, aged 33. Buried in grave 5 at the memorial in East London Cemetery.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Katherine Wolf

Katherine Wolf

United Kingdom citizen who died in the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Katherine Susan James was born on 15 June 1961 in Swansea, Glamorgan, Wales, the younger child of Howard R...

Person, Tragedy, USA, Wales

1 memorial
Dimitris Panagoulas

Dimitris Panagoulas

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Iqbal

Iqbal

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Crabbet Park Arabian Stud

Crabbet Park Arabian Stud

Founded by Wilfrid Blunt and his wife. From 1917 run by their daughter, Lady Wentworth until her death in 1957.

Place, Animals

1 memorial
A. W. Grosvenor

A. W. Grosvenor

Killed in WW1.

Person

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
National Portrait Gallery - Van Dyck

National Portrait Gallery - Van Dyck

WC2, Charing Cross Road

This building, 1896, designed by Ewan Christian, has 18 busts contained in medallions around the top of the facades. Starting at the east...

1 subject commemorated