Airport Hill Gas Explosion

Airport Hill Gas Explosion, May 17, 1961

Photographer: Barry Davis 

On May 17th, 1961, a fault in the Alberta-Eastern Canada natural gas pipeline on Airport Hill caused an explosion which ripped a hole 150 feet long in the ground and threw boulders into nearby houses. Dozens of brush fires were started from the flames which reached 500 feet into the air and could be seen from 25 miles away. Nine people who were near the blast miraculously escaped with only minor injuries. 20 families were evacuated from their homes.

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Aftermath of the Airport Hill Explosion

Unidentified North Bay Nugget Photographer 

FO Bill Shimbashi examines the twisted frame of a bed in the Weir home after an 18 inch boulder crashed through the roof carrying the bed, spring and mattress through the bedroom floor.  Luckily, no one was hit by the boulder, but Flt. Lt. Weir and his family were brought to the hospital with burns and minor injuries.