The T.A. Gillespie Company Shell Loading Plant explosion, sometimes called the Morgan Munitions Depot explosion, began at 7:36 p.m. on Oct. 4, 1918, at a World War I ammunition plant in the Morgan area of Sayreville.
Thousands of people were evacuated from Perth Amboy, Woodbridge and Sayreville. This event also contributed to the Spanish flu epidemic later that year.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary, author Randall Gabrielan will discuss the events at 7 p.m. on Oct. 4 at the Rutgers Visitor Center, 100 Sutphen Road, Piscataway.
Parking and admission are free.
