History is full of unexpected disasters, but few are as strange and shocking as the London beer flood of 1814. What started as an ordinary day in the city quickly turned into chaos when an industrial accident sent an enormous wave of beer rushing through the streets.
While industrial accidents were not uncommon in the 19th century, this particular disaster stood out not only for its bizarre nature, but for the tragic consequences it brought. Buildings collapsed, people were swept away, and the overpowering stench of beer lingered in the city for months.
Although the event has often been remembered with an air of dark humor, the reality for those affected was far from amusing. Intrigued? Click through this gallery to see the full story of how a brewery mishap turned into one of London’s most infamous disasters.