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

Mahomet Weyonomon

Mahomet Weyonomon

A Mohegan Sachem (chief), grandson of Sachem Oweneco and well-educated, writing several languages including English and Latin. The Mohegans became allies of the English, helping the first settlers ...

Person, Race Issues, Royalty, Tragedy

1 memorial
Natalie Jane Perkins

Natalie Jane Perkins

British, killed by the Bali bomb, age 20.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Adrian Cheung

Adrian Cheung

The Camden New Journal reported: "Adrian Cheung, who ran Kami Japanese restaurant in Fortess Road, died after doing a “wheelie” on his motorcycle in Kentish Town Road, Kentish Town. He came off the...

Person, Tragedy, China/Hong Kong

1 memorial
World War 2

World War 2

Sorry, we've done no research on WW2, it's just too big a subject. But do visit the picture source web site - it has a fascinating collection of maps.  And we enjoyed these photos of current WW2 ev...

Event, Armed Forces, Tragedy

374 memorials
Arthur Edlin Frederick

Arthur Edlin Frederick

On the Hyde Park memorial Arthur’s name is given as ‘Arthur (Soul) Frederick’. Arthur Edlin Frederick was born on 4 October 1944 in Grenada. He came to the UK in 1997 and was a museum's security o...

Person, Tragedy, Caribbean Islands

3 memorials