Industrial Hazards in Britain: From the London Beer Flood to Modern Urban Catastrophes

This episode explores how Britain’s industrial and urban growth produced a series of startling disasters—from the 1814 beer‑tanks that flooded London’s streets, to gas explosions, timber fair stands, bridge collapses, plumbing ruptures and reservoir releases. We examine the surviving evidence, how regulations changed, and what these events reveal about safety culture, engineering practice, and the lived reality of ordinary citizens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices