50th Anniversary of the Deadly 1975 North Vancouver Grain Terminal Explosion
October 3rd, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most significant and tragic industrial accidents in Metro Vancouver's history: the 1975 North Vancouver grain terminal explosion. This event at the Burrard Grain Terminals claimed the lives of five men and severely injured twelve others, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
The Devastating Explosion at Burrard Grain Terminals
On October 3, 1975, a fire followed by two explosions ripped through the Burrard Grain Terminals in North Vancouver. According to reports, the second explosion was attributed to highly combustible grain dust, reportedly 35 times more explosive than TNT. The force of the blast necessitated the evacuation of nearby homes as debris rained down on the surrounding area.
A Survivor's Perspective: Mike Kalanj's Story
Mike Kalanj, the son of Mike Kalanj Sr., one of the survivors, shared his family's experience with Global News. Mike Kalanj Sr. suffered burns over 55% of his body in the explosion. At the time of the accident, Kalanj's mother was in the hospital, pregnant with him and his twin brother.
"After the explosion, they sat my mom down and they wouldn’t let her look out the Vancouver General window because it faced north and you could see the smoke from there in the North Shore. So they sat her down and two days later, emergency C-section, my brother and I were brought into the world."
Despite his injuries, Mike Kalanj Sr. returned to work at the grain terminals after recovering, seeking a stable income for his family. Mike Kalanj recalls his father's resilience, but also acknowledges the probable PTSD his father endured silently, a common experience among men of that era.
The Aftermath and Legacy
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada reported that the initial call came in as a fire, quickly escalating into two explosions. Tragically, one of the 26 workers present at the grain elevator became trapped inside the building and was never found. The event became a significant part of local history, covered extensively by media outlets like BCTV and The Province Newspaper. Mike Kalanj's recollections emphasize the long-term impact of the tragedy on his family and the broader community, a reminder of the importance of industrial safety and mental health support for workers.
