A trailer of a Standard Oil tanker truck transporting 7,900 gallons of gasoline crashed on the Anthony Wayne Tail near Vinton Street.
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Fifty-seven firefighters responded to the three-alarm blaze.
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Four firefighters would die from injuries suffered while battling the blaze.
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The fire spread to some homes along the Trail.
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Deputy Chief Ewald E. Bode, who was not wearing fire gear when he responded to the blaze, died July 26, 1961, from his burns.
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Firefighter Robert Harrison, of Station 5, died June 15, 1961, from burns.
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Firefighter Glenn E. Carter, of Station 5, died June 23, 1961, more than a week after being burned in the tanker fire.
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Firefighter William Genson, of Station 1, died July 10, 1961, exactly one month after being burned in the Trail fire.
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Smoke billows from the burning tanker.
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At least nearby four homes were set fire by the explosion.
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This report logs the time when three alarms were issued and notes injuries suffered in the battle. On the right, "firemen burned by explosion" include the four who would later die: Chief Bode, Harrison, Carter, and Genson (spelled Jensen).
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This building fire report notes that a building at 612 Vinton St. will be torn down after being set ablaze in the tanker truck explosion.
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A small explosion was followed by a massive blast.
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Seventy-one people, including 11 firefighters and 38 children, were injured in the fire and explosion.
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Three fire houses responded to the scene.
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Thousands of bystanders also came to the scene.
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Raymond Mercurio was 13 years old and living on South St. Clair Street when he ventured down to see the gasoline truck that was on fire on the Anthony Wayne Trail on June 10, 1961. He was leaving the scene when the tanker exploded burning the back of his body.
The Blade/Lisa Dutton
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Seven firefighters survived injuries sustained in battling the tanker fire.
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Firefighters continue to hose down the smoldering tanker trailer.
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Bystanders watch fire crews hose down the remains of the gas tanker.
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An injured fireman is taken to an ambulance at the Anthony Wayne Trail fire.
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Retired firefighter John Repp Sr., 85, curator of Toledo Firefighters Museum, responded with Station 1 to the blaze.
The charred remains of the rig rests on the Trail.
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Firefighters had to battle blazes that spread to nearby homes as well.
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Bystanders watch from an overpass.
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The remains of the gas tanker is towed away.
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