FARGO, N.D. — On June 1, 1960, an explosion at a Northern States Power Company facility claimed the lives of three workers and left eight others injured, some critically. The blast occurred around 4:30 p.m. at a building located at 12th Street and 1st Avenue North, sending debris flying and generating thick smoke that enveloped the area.
Among those who lost their lives were Samuel G. Rott, 54, from Fargo; August Neyssen, 50, of Hatton, North Dakota; and Robert LaPash, 36, from Moorhead, Minnesota, who succumbed to injuries hours later. Witnesses described a scene of chaos as thick concrete slabs fell to the ground, injuring several others. Initial reports indicated that the conditions leading to the explosion remained unclear, with officials investigating whether gas, coal dust, or another agent was the cause.
Witness Edward H. Rishel, who worked nearby, reported hearing a deafening noise followed by smoke billowing from the building. Harry L. Silk, manager of the Fargo division for Northern States Power, speculated that an ignition of gas had triggered the blast. The building, used primarily for storage, was undergoing preparations for conversion into a headquarters for natural gas crews at the time of the explosion.
Rescue operations commenced promptly, with emergency personnel and five ambulances arriving on the scene. Captain Leonard Gorthy of the Fargo Fire Department described a harrowing scene, with injured workers strewn across the floor as rescuers sought to reach those trapped under heavy debris.
Witnesses recounted the horrifying moments of the explosion, suggesting that the injuries could have been even more severe had it not been for the open door of the facility, which likely saved many from being hit by flying concrete. Injured workers were transported to three different hospitals, with initial fears escalating as reports of potential fatalities surfaced.
Efforts were focused on unraveling the cause of the explosion, as workers examined underground gas fittings and checked propane gas lines in the vicinity. Some theorized that accumulated coal dust, which is highly flammable, might have ignited within a sealed-off tunnel connected to the building.
Despite the tragedy, officials assured the public that the manufactured gas service would remain unaffected, as the company was transitioning to natural gas from Canadian fields later that year. Yet, the community was left grappling with the loss of life and the cloud of uncertainty surrounding the explosion.
In the aftermath of the incident, family members of the victims flocked to the site, anxiously seeking news of their loved ones. Among those searching were the family of Harold Sandvik, a gas superintendent for Northern States Power. Eventually, their fear turned to relief upon confirming that Sandvik was not present at the time of the explosion.
As the Fargo community mourned the deceased, they also came together to support the injured. The devastation highlighted the risks associated with gas and energy work, casting a somber shadow over the city. Efforts to investigate and improve safety protocols were anticipated in the wake of this tragic event, as the community sought healing and answers in the months to follow.