page_title: Malton, Mississauga
section_title: Gas explosion
hierarchical_section_title: Malton, Mississauga / History / 1945–1969 / Gas explosion
caption_attribution_description: English: Looking South on Airport Road October 25, 1969
context_page_description: Malton is a neighbourhood in the northeastern part of the city of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, located to the northwest of Toronto.
  Malton is bounded by Highway 427 and Finch Avenue to the east, the Brampton city limits to the north, Airport Road to the west, and the CN rail line and Toronto Pearson International Airport to the south. Malton is unique in that it does not adjoin any other Mississauga neighbourhood. Mimico Creek flows through Malton.
  Together, the Malton and Britannia Woods areas of Mississauga form Ward 5. Ward 5 is one of the largest in the City of Mississauga and the only ward with both businesses and residents. The oldest portion of Malton is located on the northwest corner of Airport and Derry Roads. All of the roads in this area are named after cities in the United Kingdom.
context_section_description: On Saturday, October 25, 1969 at 2:55 PM a natural gas line leak caused an explosion and fire at the "Four Corners" (the intersection of Airport and Derry Road) of Malton. The "blowtorch" flame was 150 feet high and the heat was estimated to be 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. Consumer's Gas finally shut the gas off about 4 hours later.
  The Avronian Restaurant, Langford's Variety, Malton Hardware and Baker's Lumber were blown apart. The fire consumed Pat's Steak on a Bun and Sit n' Eat restaurants and damaged the Bank of Nova Scotia, Malton Fruit Market (Longo's), Abell's Drug Store and Shirley's Pool Hall.
  75-year-old Jean Perigo was killed instantly and 20 other people were injured. Two houses, 17 businesses and 49 cars were destroyed. 18 families who live in apartments above the stores were homeless. Over 350 families were evacuated. The total damage was estimated to be $1.5 million. Reconstruction took place over a 10-year period at a cost of $6.5 million. Some businesses re-opened and others closed forever. The "Four Corners" of Malton never regained its former vitality.
caption: Looking South on Airport Road in front of Malton Medical Centre on Saturday afternoon October 25, 1969
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