Eighty years later, UK remembers deadly RAF Fauld explosion that killed 70

Eighty years ago, a massive explosion at RAF Fauld in Staffordshire killed at least 70 people, marking the largest blast in British history. The incident, caused by an underground accident, was initially misreported as a Nazi missile attack. On November 27, 1944, 4,000 tonnes of explosives detonated, destroying farms and homes. The explosion created a crater 100 feet deep and 200 yards wide, with shockwaves felt up to 120 miles away. The true cause remained secret for decades. An investigation revealed that a worker mishandled a detonator, leading to the disaster. The site continued to be used for munitions storage until 1966 and is now restricted due to buried explosives. A memorial was established in 1990.