Brewery Disaster: How London Was Flooded by a Deadly Wave of Beer

Life in a bustling city is filled with unexpected risks, but few can imagine a death linked to a beer flood. On October 17, 1814, London witnessed an unusual disaster when a massive wave of alcohol swept through the streets, leaving destruction in its wake, writes IFLScience.

The catastrophe occurred at the "Horse Shoe" Brewery on Tottenham Court Road, a lively center of 19th-century London. This brewery housed a giant vat standing 6.7 meters tall, filled with approximately 3,500 barrels of brown porter ale.

Renowned for its rich chocolate flavor, this ale became deadly when one of the iron rings of the vat failed. The rupture released over 320,000 gallons (1,210,000 liters) of beer into the surrounding area, creating a 4.6-meter wave that destroyed homes and businesses.

Among the victims was a barmaid working at the "Tavistock Arms," one of several establishments flooded by the deluge. In total, eight people died instantly, while a ninth victim succumbed to alcohol poisoning days later. Historians note that amid the chaos, many residents attempted to drink beer straight from the streets, and the scent of dark beer lingered for months.

The courts deemed the incident a "natural disaster," absolving the brewery of legal responsibility. Despite this ruling, the brewery faced financial ruin, with losses amounting to £1.25 million.

The aftermath of the disaster also led some families to display deceased relatives for fundraising—an eerie yet common practice in an era fascinated by morbid curiosities.

This extraordinary catastrophe serves as a reminder of how industrial accidents can lead to unimaginable consequences, even when it involves such a seemingly ordinary substance as beer.

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