On 21st January 1875, 3 boilers exploded at Lord Brothers' Mill, Todmorden just as 500 mill hands were returning from their dinner break. Fragments of the boilers, red-hot cinders, and other debris were scattered around the district. One of the boiler's safety valves, weighing several hundredweight, was thrown across town and fell through a mill roof. 6 people were killed and a further 6 died later. It is still regarded as one of the town's worst industrial disasters.
At the inquest, it was revealed that 17 months earlier, the results of an inspection advised that the boilers should be replaced, but the manager, Edmund Woodhead, had them repaired instead
Along with many other national and local newspapers, the Cumberland & Westmoreland Herald [30th January 1875] reported
Terrible Boiler ExplosionA terrible boiler explosion occurred at the machine makers & cotton manufacturing works of Messrs Lord Brothers at Todmorden.
As the employees were returning to work after their dinner hour, without the slightest warning one of the boilers exploded with great violence. Four bodies have been found & one is missing. Fifty persons were more or less seriously injured & it is feared some will not recover.
The damage is roughly estimated at £15,000
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