From the archives: the Maple propane explosion

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Home > Newsroom > From the archives: the Maple propane explosion

From the archives: the Maple propane explosion

5/31/2022 1:00 PM

Learn more about the city’s history from the Vaughan Archives

From the traditional territories of the First Peoples of Turtle Island, to a farmland community, to a bustling city centre and everything in between – Vaughan’s transformation is a story worth telling. As part of a monthly series, the City of Vaughan is releasing historical content from the Vaughan Archives, Office of the City Clerk. Citizens are encouraged to scroll through memory lane, learn about the city’s past and explore the places, people and events that were pivotal to the development of the city of Vaughan we know today. This month, the City is highlighting the history of the Maple propane explosion.

On Aug. 4, 1962, a massive explosion at Superior Propane Ltd. rocked the village of Maple, killing one man and injuring others. Herbert Joslin, who worked for the company as a stock clerk, had made a heroic attempt to stop gas from escaping from a tank truck in the storage yard, but was unable to do so before the explosion occurred. Sadly, he lost his life in the process.

The three remaining tanks left standing in the yard could have blown at any time, and, as a result, were left to burn out as a precaution. Maple Fire and Police Chief James Davidson said, “There is still a lot of danger and all we can do is sit and wait for them to burn out or blow up.” Officials feared that if another tank exploded, the damage would be even greater because the already devastated houses in the area would not be able to provide a cushion from another shock wave.

Following the explosion, police blocked off all entrances in the danger zone and no one was allowed in except fire officials. The investigators determined that the first blast originated in the north-east section of the plant where a railway car had been unloaded, and another was waiting to be off-loaded.

The original blast destroyed the $250,000 Superior Propane plant, as well as six neighbouring homes and additional homes were deemed unfit to live in. The explosion also forced the evacuation of approximately 25 more homes due to the fires, with the total cost of the damages exceeding $500,000.

Following the explosion, Vaughan Township Council sent a committee to every home that had been damaged by the explosion. Reeve (Mayor) Albert Rutherford said that once the extent of the damage had been determined, they would decide what was needed to help those who had been left homeless. During the Council meeting following the blast, Council decided that they would allow Superior Propane to rebuild in Maple. They also requested a moment of silence for Herbert Joslin who was “a good friend and member of the community who gave his life for the municipality.”

ABOUT VAUGHAN ARCHIVES

Established in 1988, the City of Vaughan Archives is home to more than 600 collections, consisting of both City records and cultural records about Vaughan from 1860 to present day. Records include, but are not limited to, the following:

City business records with long-term legal and administrative value, such as Council meeting minutes, by-laws, assessment rolls, financial records, reports and official correspondence
church, community and school records
census records
historical photographs
land records
historical maps, plans and aerial photographs
newspapers
personal papers of past residents and founding families, such as diaries, family histories, journals and letters
records of local organizations both past and present

VIEW VAUGHAN’S ARCHIVES ONLINE!

As part of the City's COVID-19 response, Vaughan City Hall remains closed to the public – but the City’s Archival Collection is on digital display for all to explore! The below galleries are now available in the City’s online gallery on Flickr:

Featured Artists of Vaughan
Historical Families of Vaughan
Historical Figures: Lord Beaverbrook
Historical Photography
Recollections of Rural Vaughan
The Mary Wood Collection
The Way We Were: Representations of Vaughan’s Past
Vaughan Working Environments
Vaughan Through the Ages: Medicine
Vaughan Through the Ages: Music
Vaughan Through the Ages: Sports and Recreation
Stories of Remembrance
Vaughan’s Forgotten Heroes
Early Churches of Vaughan
Historical Schools of Vaughan

A personal Flickr account is not required to access the City’s online gallery, which contains only a small selection of the full archives collection. If you are looking for a certain image, original file, primary source record or more, contact the Vaughan Archives by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing archives@vaughan.ca.

By managing and preserving both City and community records, the Enterprise Information Management Services team ensures that Vaughan’s rich and varied history will continue to be available for future generations. Learn more at vaughan.ca/archives.

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