The Silvertown explosion occurred at the Royal Arsenal's munitions factory, a critical component of Britain's World War I military efforts. As the war intensified, the demand for munitions surged, placing immense pressure on factories like the one located in Silvertown, London. On the morning of January 19, 1917, a series of explosions rocked the factory, attributed to the mishandling of highly volatile chemicals and ammunition. The initial blast was followed by secondary explosions that further compounded the devastation.

The force of the explosion created a shockwave that was felt miles away, and debris was scattered across the area, damaging hundreds of homes and injuring people who were merely passing by. In total, 73 lives were lost, and over 400 were injured, with both workers and locals affected. Emergency services and volunteers rushed to the scene to assist in rescue operations, further highlighting the community's resilience during such a crisis. The massive fire that ensued raged for hours, engulfing vast areas of production and causing extensive financial losses estimated at £2,000,000, which was a staggering amount at that time and equated to a significant percentage of wartime spending.

In the aftermath, investigations were conducted to determine the causes and to improve safety protocols in munitions production facilities. The tragic incident underscored the dangers associated with wartime industrialization and led to policy changes concerning the storage and handling of explosives, while also igniting public discussions about worker safety in hazardous environments. The consequences of this disaster were felt far beyond the immediate impact, influencing safety regulations in industries engaged in manufacturing explosive materials.