Today in History - March 1: Everybody was running late when explosion destroyed church
A powerful explosion flattened a church in the US state of Nebraska five minutes after choir practice was due to begin on March 1, 1950.
But despite 15 people expected to arrive at 7.20pm sharp, every single choir member was running late.
As a result, not a single person was hurt though the building was destroyed.
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The explosion rocked the town of Beatrice and destroyed the church. Clifford Guenther
The blast did break windows in neighbouring buildings and knock a local radio station off the air.
Reverend Walter Klempel lit the furnace at the West Side Baptist Church in Beatrice, Nebraska to ensure the building was warm when everyone arrived.
He went home to pick up his wife and daughter in anticipation of being back at the church at 7.10pm, five minutes before everyone else normally arrived.
But the Klempels were delayed by a wardrobe mishap. His teenage daughter's dress was soiled and they needed to iron another one.
Another high schooler, Ladona Vandergrift, was delayed because she was distracted by her geometry homework.
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The blast flattened the church and likely would have killed anyone inside. Clifford Guenther
Vandergrift was meant to pick up two other sisters, who had trouble starting their cars in the cold weather.
Another woman would have arrived on time but was instead helping her mother prepare for a missionary meeting.
Meanwhile, Herbert Kipf was running late because he had been writing a letter he had put off.
Harvey Ahl was minding his two boys and didn't realise he was late.
Pianist Marilyn Paul had fallen asleep after dinner. Her mother was also late because she had been waking her daughter up.
Meanwhile, Lucille Jones wanted to hear the end of a radio show that ended at 7.30pm. She normally went with school friend Dorothy Wood, who was waiting for her.
And Joyce Black was running late when she heard the massive explosion from her home.
The cause of the explosion was never confirmed, but it is believed a gas leak may have been set alight by the furnace.
The church has since been rebuilt.
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West Side Baptist Church was rebuilt and remains a mainstay in Beatrice. Facebook
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