Overview

The New London School explosion occurred on March 18, 1937, when a natural gas leak caused an explosion, destroying the London School of New London, Texas. The disaster killed more than 295 students and teachers, making it the worst catastrophe to take place in a U.S. school building.

United States Bureau of Mines concluded that the connection to the residue gas line was faulty and that invisible and orderless natural gas had leaked in a space under the school building. To reduce the damage of future leaks, the Texas Legislature began mandating within weeks of the explosion that thiols (Mercaptans) be added to natural gas. The strong odor of many thiols makes leaks quickly detectable. The practice quickly spread worldwide.

After this tragedy laws were passed to require adding a warning odor to natural gas. And, the Texas Engineering Practice Act was created to set standards to "safeguard life, health, and property and protect the public welfare."

References

• New London School explosion - wikipedia
• What was the 1937 Texas School Explosion?
• New London Texas School Explosion - history - In Memory Of The Ones Who Perished And Those Who Survived