The London Beer Flood: Tragedy in St. Giles""The Meux Brewery

On October 17, 1814, a bizarre and tragic event known as the London Beer Flood occurred in the St. Giles district of London. The disaster began at the Meux and Company Brewery on Tottenham Court Road when a massive vat containing over 135,000 gallons of beer burst. The force of the rupture caused several other vats to explode in a chain reaction, releasing a tidal wave of over 323,000 gallons of beer.
The flood swept through the densely populated streets, demolishing two homes and causing significant damage to the nearby Tavistock Arms Pub. Tragically, eight people lost their lives, either drowned in the beer or crushed by debris. The victims included women and children, adding to the tragedy.
The event was deemed an "act of God" by the courts, and the brewery was not held liable. The London Beer Flood remains a peculiar and somber chapter in the city's history, illustrating the potential for unexpected industrial disasters even in everyday commodities.