Nitrate Truck Explosion, Marshall’s Creek, PA (1964)

Nitrate Truck Explosion, Marshall’s Creek, PA (1964)

At 4:08 am Marshalls Creek Firemen were awakened to respond to a tractor trailer fire on Route 209 near the Snake and Animal Farm. As the firemen responded they had no idea what danger lay ahead. Upon their arrival they found the rear wheels of the tractor on fire. There were no placards or warnings on the trailer to warn of its contents. Shortly after the fire company’s arrival the trailer exploded killing 3 firemen, FRANCIS MILLER, 50; LEONARD MOSIER, 48 and EDWARD HINES, 48 and seriously wounding 2 others, RICHARD MCDONOUGH, 40 and ROBERT HEID, 33. Three civilians were also killed in the explosion, bringing the death toll to 6. The fire department also lost three trucks in the explosion. It was later discovered that the trailer was carrying dynamite and blasting caps. The driver had left the scene to place a phone call. This tragedy was the beginning in a chain of events that would lead to the creation of the Department Of Transportation (DOT) Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). With the creation of the ERG changes were made that are still present today throughout the emergency services community. http://www.marshallscreekfireco.org/History