Bedford Magazine Explosion, 1945 explosion site in Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada

The Bedford Magazine explosion was a fire and series of blasts on 18–19 July 1945 at the ammunition depot on the Bedford Basin, north of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. A barge blew up at 6:30 PM on the jetty, igniting ammunition stacked outdoors because the main compound was overcrowded; fires and explosions lasted over 24 hours. The barge now rests on the seabed near the eastern shoreline by the CFAD Bedford dock.

The Bedford Magazine, an ammunition depot on Bedford Basin, was still operating in July 1945, when a barge exploded at its jetty at 6:30 PM on July 18. Fire spread to ammunition stored outdoors because the main compound was overcrowded, and fires and explosions continued for more than 24 hours. The depot later became CFAD Bedford (Magazine Hill).

The explosion shifted how the military and local population worked together, with naval personnel actively joining firefighting efforts. This cooperation demonstrated a sense of shared responsibility during the crisis.

The site can be seen from the water when traveling along the shoreline, but direct access to the grounds is not open to the public. Learning more about the incident at nearby museums provides additional context and historical details.

Only one person died during the emergency: Patrolman Henry Raymond Craig, who moved toward the fire to assist with rescue efforts. His actions were later recognized in local accounts of the disaster.