On the evening of December 27, 1983, firefighters in Buffalo, New York responded to a call regarding a propane gas leak. Shortly after arriving, the propane ignited, leveling a warehouse and causing a wide swath of damage. Five firefighters and two civilians were killed in the blast, and left many dozens more injured. The event remains the largest single day loss of life for the Buffalo Fire Department.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North Division Street explosion