Roseburg, Oregon – The quiet town of Roseburg, Oregon was rocked by a devastating blast on August 8, 1959, leaving a trail of destruction that would be etched into the town’s history forever. The front page of The Oregon Statesman bore the grim headline “Blast Devastates Heart of Roseburg,” capturing the magnitude of the tragedy that unfolded more than 130 miles south of Salem.
Reports from the Associated Press detailed how a truck carrying 6 1/2 tons of explosives caught fire, setting off a chain reaction that resulted in a deadly explosion. The blast not only decimated a six-block area but also claimed the lives of at least 11 people, with the death toll eventually rising to 14. In a town of only 12,200 residents, the loss of lives and the scale of destruction were deeply felt by the community.
Firefighters and police officers, including those who responded to the initial blaze at the building supply company where the fire originated, were among the casualties. The tragedy, known as “The Roseburg Blast” or simply “The Blast,” reverberated far beyond the town’s borders, with reports of the explosion being heard in neighboring cities like Eugene and causing window damage up to seven miles away.
Subsequent assessments revealed that nearly 300 businesses in a 30-block radius had suffered damage from the explosion, with estimated losses ranging from $10 million to $12 million. The cause of the catastrophe was traced back to an early morning fire at the Gerretsen Building Supply Company, which quickly spread to a truck loaded with explosives parked nearby. Most residents were asleep when the explosion occurred, with only the truck driver seeking shelter at a nearby hotel.
The aftermath of “The Blast” prompted national attention and led to the implementation of stricter safety regulations for transporting explosives by the Interstate Commerce Commission. As the town of Roseburg grappled with the aftermath of the tragedy, the legacy of “The Blast” would forever alter the way communities approach safety and disaster preparedness. The scars of that fateful day serve as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of vigilance in preventing such catastrophes in the future.