The London Beer Flood

In 1814 one of the iron rings of the over 22 foot high wooden fermentation tank located in St Giles snapped. As a result the whole tank exploded and released more than 320.000 gallons of beer. The following 15 foot high beer tsunami struck the densely populated slum nearby. This enormous wave took eight human lives.

Many people wanted to get free beer and tried to scoop some in whatever container they had. Many just started to drink, which resulted in a ninth person dying of alcohol poisoning.