1945 Edgewood Arsenal explosion

Coordinates: 39°23′39″N 76°17′36″W / 39.3943°N 76.2933°W / 39.3943; -76.2933
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1945 Edgewood Arsenal explosion
DateMay 25, 1945 (1945-05-25)
VenueBuilding 509 Edgewood Arsenal
LocationHarford County, Maryland, United States
Coordinates39°23′39″N 76°17′36″W / 39.3943°N 76.2933°W / 39.3943; -76.2933
TypeExplosion
Deaths12
Non-fatal injuries>50

The 1945 Edgewood Arsenal explosion killed twelve munitions workers and injured more than fifty on May 25, 1945. Building 509 at Edgewood Arsenal in Harford County, Maryland was a production facility for the assembly of phosphorus igniter assemblies for incendiary bombs, employing a female staff of about 135 assemblers. Nine workers, of whom eight were African-American, were killed in the initial blast, and three more died of their injuries.[1][2][3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "11 KILLED, 52 HURT IN ARSENAL BLAST". New York Times. May 26, 1945.
  2. ^ "Flames Sweep Arsenal After Blast Kills 9". Charleston Gazette. AP. May 25, 1945.
  3. ^ Smith, Stacy (March 1, 2017). "Local woman recalls 1945 Edgewood Arsenal explosion". APG News. Retrieved 17 May 2020.