Today is the 51st anniversary of West Conshohocken’s greatest disaster. On January 27, 1971, a gas explosion along Front Street created a devasting fire that resulted in four deaths.
In 2018, MoreThanTheCurve.com published a four-part series on the explosion and how it impacted the community.
- The Freedom Valley Chronicles: West Conshohocken Gas Explosion And Fire – Part One
- The Freedom Valley Chronicles: West Conshohocken Gas Explosion And Fire – Part Two
- The Freedom Valley Chronicles: West Conshohocken Gas Explosion And Fire – Part Three
- The Freedom Valley Chronicles: West Conshohocken Gas Explosion And Fire – Part Four
We recently came across additional photos that show what came after the fire. For example, 15 homes were destroyed by the explosion and fire. Among the photographs below you will see William and Mildred Duff whose home was destroyed being shown mobile homes, which were brought in to serve as temporary homes for the victims.
Note that the text under each photo is from the original caption that appeared in the newspaper.
“West Conshohocken Fire victims William Duff and his wife, Mildred, look at the mobile homes being set up by the Montgomery County Housing Authority on a lot near their burned house.”
Pictured are William and Mildred Duff.
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 1971-02-12
“Food, clothing and toys for fire victims in West Conshohocken are collected by students at Montgomery County Community in Conshohocken. Mrs. Francis J. Keifer, of Warminster, makes a contribution to Gary Ermelin and Wendy Miller, officers of the student center board.”
Pictured are Francis J. Keifer, Gary Ermelin, and Wendy Miller.
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 1971-01-27
“Helping stock the shelves with can goods etc. given by the people of the area are. Rev. Gillard Evans of the Primitive Methodist Church and John J. Campbell, councilman both of West Conshohocken. This is in the former Hewlett Packard Co., now used by the Pa. Department of Highways.
Pictured are Gillard Evans and John J. Campbell.
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 1971-02-12
“Victims comfort one another at Montgomery Hospital Norristown.”
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 1971-0128
“Mrs. Mildred Duff, helps her husband William, he has a bad back, into one of the 8 trailers set up for the fire victims. Their house is still standing at 105 front street but is uninhabitable. They don’t know as yet if they will take one of the trailers.”
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 1971-02-12
“Fred Speaker, a Front St. resident is helped to a stretcher at Sacred Heart Hospital in Norristown. He suffered head and leg injuries.”
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 1971-01-28
“Close-up photo shows where the gas leak started the fire.”
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 01-27-71
“Photo shows where the gas leak started the fire. Crack in pipe is at lower end of photo.”
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 1971-01-28
“Firefighters looking at building.”
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 1971-01-28
“Injured fireman Joseph Costello leaves Montgomery Hospital after treatment of burns.”
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 1971-01-27
“Mrs. Mildred Duff and her husband William, fire victims look over the kitchen of one of the trailers.”
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 1971-02-12
“Frank Speaker, victim of the explosion awaits ambulance after treatment.”
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 1971-01-27
“Ice-covered and weary firemen, note breath in 17 degree weather.”
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 01-27-71
“Sitting out the fire in the firehouse of the Clay Fire Co. are Dian Ciesielko, 6, and her brother Mike, 8. they were later permitted to return home.”
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 01-28-71
“Joe Garnett from the George Clay Fire Co., awaits transportation back to fire after having his injured eye treated.”
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 01/27/71
“Death toll rises to 4 in fire blasts”
Pictured is Michelle Pruitt, one of the victims of the fire.
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 1971-01-27
“Soup is ready at the George Clay Fire co. where homeless gather to plan their next move.”
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin 01/27/71
Photos: Courtesy of the Special Collections Research Center. Temple University Libraries. Philadelphia, PA. You can view the collection here.