By Sara Beth Williams–
The Citrus Heights Historical Society is hosting a presentation on Thursday, May 1, on the Roseville bomb explosions that occurred in 1973.
On Saturday, April 28, 1973, 21 boxcars with 7,000 bombs exploded while stationary in the Southern Pacific railyards in Roseville, resulting in extensive property damage and injuries to 350 people, according to the Citrus Heights Historical Society.
Several bombs and ammunition manufactured for use in the Vietnam War had arrived at the Southern Pacific rail yards the day before. In the morning of April 28, one of the freight cars carrying the bombs caught fire and then exploded, causing a chain reaction of explosions lasting into the next day and releasing shrapnel for miles. In 1997, several undetonated bombs were uncovered and detonated in a nearby field.
April 28, 2025, marked 52 years since the bomb explosions.
The free event will be held at 6 p.m. at Citrus Heights City Hall, located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive.
The Citrus Heights Historical Society is hosting a presentation on Thursday, May 1, on the Roseville bomb explosions that occurred in 1973...
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