1929 Ottawa sewer explosion
Encyclopedia
On May 29, 1929, a series of explosions in the sewers of Ottawa
, Canada
, killed one person.
The first blast occurred just after noon in the Golden Triangle area, west of the canal; over the next 25 minutes, a series of explosions traveled the length of the main line of the sewer system. The explosions first moved east under the canal and then moved through Sandy Hill
under Somerset Street. After passing under the Rideau River, they followed the line as it turned north through what is today Vanier
, before going through New Edinburgh
to the point where the sewer system emptied into the Ottawa River.
The blasts were fairly small, except when manhole
covers were involved. At these points, the access to oxygen fueled towering flames that erupted through the manhole cover
s onto city streets. The covers themselves were blown high into the air.
Most of the damage from the sewer explosions occurred where sewage lines were attached to less sturdy pipes inside houses; blasts destroyed the plumbing in many residential basements. Besides property damage, the explosions caused one death and many injuries.
The cause of the explosions was never definitively determined. Methane
naturally occurs in sewers, but it never accumulates in a concentration powerful enough to cause explosions of the magnitude seen in Ottawa. The Ottawa Gas Company vehemently insisted that the disaster could not have been caused by its lines.
It is now thought that the fuel stations and mechanic shops in the city—new since the introduction of the automobile—contributed to the calamity. While these shops were required by law to dispose of all waste oils in a safe manner, there were no inspections; dumping waste into the sewage system was commonplace. In combination with problems in the sewer system's design, this pollution likely caused the 1929 blasts.
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, killed one person.
The first blast occurred just after noon in the Golden Triangle area, west of the canal; over the next 25 minutes, a series of explosions traveled the length of the main line of the sewer system. The explosions first moved east under the canal and then moved through Sandy Hill
Sandy Hill
Sandy Hill is a bilingual neighbourhood in Ottawa, Ontario located just east of downtown. The neighbourhood is bordered on the west by the Rideau Canal and on the east by the Rideau River. To the north it stretches to Rideau Street and the Byward Market area while to the south it is bordered by...
under Somerset Street. After passing under the Rideau River, they followed the line as it turned north through what is today Vanier
Vanier, Ontario
-External links:**...
, before going through New Edinburgh
New Edinburgh
New Edinburgh is a small neighbourhood in Ottawa, Canada. It is located to the east of the downtown core. It is bordered on the west by the Rideau River, to the north by the Ottawa River, to the south by Beechwood Avenue, to the east the border is less regular but is marked in part by Springfield...
to the point where the sewer system emptied into the Ottawa River.
The blasts were fairly small, except when manhole
Manhole
A manhole is an opening used to gain access to sewers or other underground structures, usually for maintenance.Manhole may also refer to:* Manhole , a metal band from Los Angeles* The Manhole, a computer game...
covers were involved. At these points, the access to oxygen fueled towering flames that erupted through the manhole cover
Manhole cover
A manhole cover is a removable plate forming the lid over the opening of a manhole, to prevent anyone from falling in and to keep unauthorized persons out....
s onto city streets. The covers themselves were blown high into the air.
Most of the damage from the sewer explosions occurred where sewage lines were attached to less sturdy pipes inside houses; blasts destroyed the plumbing in many residential basements. Besides property damage, the explosions caused one death and many injuries.
The cause of the explosions was never definitively determined. Methane
Methane
Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest alkane, the principal component of natural gas, and probably the most abundant organic compound on earth. The relative abundance of methane makes it an attractive fuel...
naturally occurs in sewers, but it never accumulates in a concentration powerful enough to cause explosions of the magnitude seen in Ottawa. The Ottawa Gas Company vehemently insisted that the disaster could not have been caused by its lines.
It is now thought that the fuel stations and mechanic shops in the city—new since the introduction of the automobile—contributed to the calamity. While these shops were required by law to dispose of all waste oils in a safe manner, there were no inspections; dumping waste into the sewage system was commonplace. In combination with problems in the sewer system's design, this pollution likely caused the 1929 blasts.