Laflin & Rand Powder Works Explosion

Date: 18 Jul 1898 [unknown]
Location: Pompton Lakes, Passaic, New Jersey, United States
Surnames/tags: Disasters New Jersey

There was an explosion at the Laflin and Rand gunpowder mill in Pompton Lakes. Nine buildings were destroyed and nine workers injured. Following the explosion soldiers from the Third New Jersey Volunteer Regiment, National Guardsmen who had been sent to guard the plant in May, helped with controlling the fires and rescue operations.

Source: The New York Times. “POWDER MILLS BLOWN UP; Ten Killed and Twenty Hurt at the Laflin-Rand Pompton Lakes Plant. EXPLOSION IN MIXING ROOM A Second Caused By Detonation, and a Scene of Devastation Followed -- New Jersey Troops Kept Crowds Back.” July 13, 1898, sec. Archives. https://www.nytimes.com/1898/07/13/archives/powder-mills-blown-up-ten-killed-and-twenty-hurt-at-the-laflinrand.html.