From the Archives: 1919's Molasses Flood

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Credit Greater Boston / WGBH

The North End, known for it's restaurants and culture, is also known for an unusual disaster — a molasses flood. On Jan. 15, 1919, a tank at the Purity Distillery factory collapsed, unleashing 2.3 million gallons of molasses into the city. The Boston Post reported an explosion that killed 21 people and injured 50.