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Summary
A 1979 Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) train derailment in Mississauga caused a propane fire, leading to the largest peacetime evacuation in history. This event highlights the critical need for industrial safety and emergency response planning.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Industrial Safety
- Emergency Management
Background:
- A Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) train derailed in Mississauga, Ontario, on November 10, 1979.
- The derailment was caused by an overheated axle bearing on a propane tank car, igniting a massive fire.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the events following the Mississauga train derailment and propane fire.
- To analyze the emergency response and its scale, including the largest peacetime evacuation.
Main Methods:
- Historical account of the incident and its immediate aftermath.
- Compilation of information regarding the emergency response and evacuation efforts.
Main Results:
- The incident triggered a significant industrial fire visible from afar.
- The event necessitated the largest peacetime evacuation in recorded history, involving 110 firefighters within 30 minutes.
- The account details events up to December 17, 1979.
Conclusions:
- The Mississauga derailment underscored the severe consequences of industrial accidents involving hazardous materials.
- The scale of the evacuation demonstrated the challenges and importance of effective emergency preparedness and response in urban industrial areas.