Baldock Beer Disaster

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The Baldock Beer Disaster occurred on March 14, 1904 when an unstable storage room floor collapsed at the Simpson Brewery, in what is now Simpsons Drive, in the North Hertfordshire town of Baldock, in England.

Around 300 barrels and crates of beer fell three floors through the brewery, crushing eight workers to death, drowning five and injuring another fifteen. Some surrounding streets were temporarily hit by a wave of beer, which reportedly destroyed three houses and killed a dog. The disaster marred the reputation of the brewery and led to two further deaths from alcohol-related conditions. This reputation eventually caused the brewery to declare a state of bankruptcy, and the building was left derelict until 1968 when it was demolished.

The disaster is commemorated each year by staff from the Library in Simpsons Drive.

Mr Lidder, a late Baldock resident is quoted as having said in his personal memoirs (recently published by his family) - "The Baldock Beer Disaster was a terrible event that has stayed with us over the years. Many people were traumatised by the disaster and dare not set foot near a pub barrel to this very day. Although the beer disaster did have its plus side. Due to great number of beer barrels rolling along the steets and careering into old coaching inns, people collected these and opened there own public houses. One of the most famous Public Houses that used the resources from the disaster was The White Lion. However, many lives were taken and it would not do to be flippant about the matter. My own father died in this disaster as well as his dog (Geoffrey) as mentioned above. The people involved in the disaster will never be forgotten."

[edit] References

Crellin, Vivian (1974). Baldock in the Twentieth Century Hancock & Hine Printing Press
Westonbyre, Gregory (Apr. 13, 1928). "Forgotten Tragedies of the Home Counties". Royston Crow, p. 8.
Pedant. A (Feb. 2007). "The Baldock Beer Disaster". The Baldock Mail pg.11