YAKIMA, WASHINGTON – On a fateful morning in July 29, 1956, a booming sound, a cloud of smoke, and shattered windows shocked the residents of Terrace Heights and Yakima. However, this tragic event was not the result of military actions or war but rather a freak hunting accident that claimed the lives of two young soldiers from Yakima, leading to calls for better storage practices for explosives like dynamite.
The explosion occurred east of the landfill in Terrace Heights, leaving a massive crater 20 feet deep, 75 feet long, and 50 feet wide. The tragic incident took the lives of Army Spc. 3rd Class Ralph Rice and Pfc. Ronald Foster, who had been home on a short break from their service with the 38th Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The two soldiers, both graduates of Yakima High School, were fatally caught in the blast while on a hunting excursion.
Eyewitnesses recounted the devastation, with the men’s remains found scattered up to 3,000 feet from the detonation site. The blast was believed to have been triggered when a stray bullet struck the powder magazine, causing a chain reaction that set off the dynamite and other explosives stored within the structure. The force of the explosion was equivalent to five tons of dynamite, surpassing even the heaviest bombs dropped during World War II.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, there were discussions on improving the safety regulations around the storage of explosives, with considerations for underground storage to mitigate the risk of similar accidents. The community mourned the loss of Rice and Foster, with the soldiers being laid to rest in Terrace Heights Memorial Park and West Hills Cemetery, respectively.
The incident served as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by mishandling explosives, prompting a reevaluation of safety protocols and storage practices. It remains a part of Yakima’s history, a tragic event that brought the community together in grief and reflection on the importance of handling hazardous materials with utmost care.