`` Mont-Blanc '' was under orders Arranging from the French government to carry her cargo from New York City via Halifax to Bordeaux , France .

On the `` Mont-Blanc '' , the impact Influence damaged Damaging benzol barrels stored on deck , leaking Motion vapors which were ignited Process_start by sparks from the collision Catastrophe , setting off a fire Catastrophe on board that quickly grew out of control .

Approximately 20 minutes later at 9:04:35 am , the `` Mont-Blanc '' exploded Attack .

A pressure wave snapped Destroying trees , bent Change iron rails , demolished Destroying buildings , grounded Connect vessels ( including `` Imo '' , which was washed ashore by the ensuing tsunami ) , and scattered Dispersal fragments of `` Mont-Blanc '' for kilometres .

The initial judicial inquiry Criminal_investigation found Know `` Mont-Blanc '' to have been responsible for the disaster Catastrophe , but a later appeal Protest determined Coming_to_believe that both vessels were to blame Judgment_communication .