Barry Building Explosion

Barry Building Explosion, 1975 Photographers Include: Dave Palangio, Don Gautier, and Gary Ball — **Barry Building Explosion, 1975**
*Photographers Include: Dave Palangio, Don Gautier, and Gary Ball*

On January 8, 1975, an accident that occurred during a routine excavation had devastating consequences.

A gas company crew using a backhoe to pull up a charged natural gas line connected to a recently demolished house next to the Barry Building accidentally severed the line. Gas fumes were sent through weeping tiles and into the Barry Building at 122 McIntyre Street West.

At 3:30 p.m., a violent explosion tore through the Barry Building as the natural gas ignited, lifting the building's roof five feet into the air. Within a minute, a raging fire had erupted, complicating rescue efforts.’

*Photographers Include: Dave Palangio, Don Gautier, and Gary Ball*

It took an hour and a half for the natural gas to be shut off and the fire to be brought under control. During this time, countless police officers and many heroic private citizens selflessly charged into the rubble to help.

The fire immediately claimed the lives of nine people: Elsie Brooks; Louise Brousseau; (Dr.) James Cobean; Elizabeth Hall; LaJuana Hallauer; (Dr.) Garnet Julian; Gertrude Larocque; Mary Margaret MacDonald; and Sarah Murdoch. Another twenty-three people were injured. This tragedy led to several investigations, a coroner's inquest and recommendations to change provincial procedures regarding natural gas detection.

Barry Building Explosion Photographers Include: Dave Palangio, Don Gautier, and Gary Ball — **Barry Building Explosion**
*Photographers Include: Dave Palangio, Don Gautier, and Gary Ball*

The blast from the Barry Building explosion shattered the windows of the Cochrane Dunlop building located across the street.

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