Hammond Fireworks: The Explosive Story

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In 1867, there was an explosion at number 240 Chessels Court, Edinburgh, Scotland.   This  cost the lives of seven people, and injured ten.

The explosion issued from the workshop of a Mr Thomas Hammond, firework maker.   This was in the days where it was acceptable to make fireworks in the ground floor workshop of a 5 storey tenement.   All of this surrounded by families, a vast mixture of trades including a baker, a basket-maker, and residential flats.

Throw into this, the fact that the gunpowder used would probably be in the same room as an open fire, and the candles which lit the workshop.   Also, this workshop would no doubt  have been the main residence of Thomas Hammond and his family.

So, who was Thomas Hammond.    He was born in Birmingham in 1835, son of Thomas and Sarah.   Thomas snr was a glassblower, as was his son.    At some point, Thomas jnr decided to move into firework making, and to ply his trade here in Edinburgh.   In 1860, the Scotsman newspaper carried an advertisement for a magnificent display of fireworks at the Royal Zoological Gardens, with Thomas listed as the ‘Pyrotechnic Artist’.

He lived and worked at Chessels Court, with his wife Mary Ann, son John, and little Sarah.   On the day of the accident, whether caused through a spark from the fire, or carelessness with a candle, 2 kegs of gunpowder ignited, with spectacular results.

Initially, there was an explosion, followed by fire and thick smoke which spread throughout the tenement, and injured passersby.   There are many stories of the bravery of Edinburgh citizens who caught children who were flung from windows 30-40 feet from the ground, or clambered across window ledges to rescue these poor unfortunates.   Some women lowered themselves from the burning building on ropes, and one woman, in her desparation, flung herself from the 4th storey window, unfortunately dying on the pavement below.   A local policeman, Sergeant Auld arrived in time to see a woman start to throw her children from the third storey window of their burning flat.   He helped catch all four of her children, and although he was injured himself, he then assisted Mr George Riddle (a local chimney sweep) to rescue the mother and another woman from this flat.