When a Wave of Molasses Became a Deadly Disaster

The Great Molasses Flood, as it became known, occurred on January 15, 1919, in Boston's North End. The pressure from the fermentation inside the poorly constructed tank, combined with a sudden temperature change, caused its catastrophic rupture. The dense, viscous liquid created a powerful, inescapable force that crushed buildings, derailed a streetcar, and swept people and horses away. Rescue efforts were hampered by the sticky, ankle-deep molasses, which made movement incredibly difficult, and the cleanup took weeks, with the sweet smell lingering in the area for decades.