The Great Molasses Flood

This story is taken from the Epilogue of Bittersweet, written by Peter Macinnis

One of the most unusual effects of sugar is seen in the Great Boston Molasses Flood of 15
January 1919.  According to some accounts, there had been a rush to import as much
molasses as possible to make and sell as much rum as possible before Prohibition came into
force.  The flood was caused by an overfilled storage tank bursting and flooding the streets
with a two and a half meter wave of molasses that killed 21 people, crumpled the steel support
of an elevated train, and knocked over a fire station.  The story has often been told since,
usually with a wry comment about the victims meeting a sticky end. It is another example of the
way sugar products can be dangerous, though the main problems have been environmental.