The Mickelberry Sausage Company plant explosion was a massive explosion and fire that killed nine people in Chicago on February 7, 1968.[1] The factory made meat products such as hot dogs, lard, and hams under the Mickleberry Old Farm brand.[2] Mickelberry was founded in 1893.[citation needed] It was located near the corner of 49th Place and South Halsted Street in the city's Back of the Yards (Union Stock Yards) district.[3] Nine people were killed, including four Chicago firefighters. Seventy people were injured.[4]

A gasoline truck was making a delivery in the alley behind the plant, when a valve on the truck was sheared off by a garbage can allowing the gasoline to flow freely.[5] The fuel leaked into the basement of the facility where it ignited causing a series of explosions.[1]

The company's president ran back into the rubble apparently to rescue those trapped inside. He was killed.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Mickelberry food plant fire". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  2. ^ "Mickleberry's Old Farm Trademark Information". Trademarkia. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Wednesday marks 50th anniversary of deadly Mickelberry plant fire". ABC7 Chicago. February 7, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  4. ^ "Wednesday marks 50th anniversary of deadly Mickelberry plant fire". WGN9. February 7, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  5. ^ "CFD Honors 50th Anniversary Of Fatal Mickelberry Plant Explosion". No. February 7, 2018. CBS Chicago. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
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