Great Molasses Flood (1919)

On January 15, 1919, a large molasses storage tank in Boston's North End burst, releasing a wave of molasses that swept through nearby streets. The disaster, known as the Great Molasses Flood, killed 21 people and injured about 150 others. The tank was located at a works on Commercial Street and is commonly cited at 529 Commercial Street; the ensuing cleanup and litigation lasted months and influenced engineering oversight.