In 1925, Herman Grell, a former resident of Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, was killed in a massive explosion that took place on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. The story was reported in the local Lykens Standard, February 27, 1925:
LYKENS SON KILLED IN EXPLOSION
Herman Grell, son of the late Frank Grell and wife, and a former reisdent of Lykens, was killed in an explosion in Philadelphia, Saturday morning at the west bank of the Schuylkill River near Forty-Ninth Street and Botanic Avenue.
Grell, when the explosion occurred, was standing on a tug along the oil barge which was blown to pieces. The explosion shook the entire city of Philadelphia, tore asunder an oil barge and transformed the surface of the Schuylkill River into a roaring sheet of flame for more than a mile, when 100,000 gallons of crude oil flowed from the tanks of the Crew Levick Company, on barge known as No. 9, which had been towed to the Municipal Incenerating Plant, and unloading the oil there for fuel purposes.
When the explosion occurred, Grell and George Wolfgang, another victim of the explosion were hurled into the air a distances of thirty feet. Fires started in every direction and seventy-five pieces of fire apparatus from every part of the city was called into service, in addition to several river fire boats.
Eleven others from Philadelphia and surrounding territory were injured. The cause of the explosion is unknown but investigations are being made to determine the fault.
Herman Grell, who was 27 years of age is survived by a wife, a four-year-old son, and the following brothers: Charles Grell, Philadelphia; Russell Grell, Pittsburgh; Donald Grell, Williamstown; and Thomas Grell, of Detroit.
Isaac Grell of this place [Lykens], an uncle, and Donald Grell of Williamstown, a brother left for Philadelphia Monday.
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News article from Newspapers.com.
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