Reading, PA Gas Explosion, Jan 1968

NINE DIE, TWO HOMES LEVELED BY EXPLOSION.

Reading, Pa. (AP) -- Pennsylvania and Reading officials said Wednesday they will investigate an explosion that killed nine persons and demolished two houses.
A gas company spokesman, said Reading workmen digging in the street to repair a water main had hit a gas line shortly before the explosion.
The tragedy was the fourth major fire in southeastern Pennsylvania in less than a week and one of a series of fatal fires in the state in the past few days. At least 22 persons have died in fires across Pennsylvania since last Friday.
Tuesday night's blast wrecked the homes of FRANK M. STANISLAW, 48, and ROBERT GEISER, in his 40s. STANISLAW was out of the house at the time and escaped. The crumbling wreckage trapped his and GEISER'S families.
Killed were STAINISLAW'S wife, VAE; their son, ROBERT, 17, and a daughter, LINDA, 12, and GEISER; his wife, SHIRLEY; his mother, ETHEL, 64; and three children, ROBERT, JR., 15, BONNIE, 5, and KAREN, 3.
Neighbors said the explosion rocked the neighborhood and the screams of children could be heard above the roar of the flames.

The Cumberland News Maryland 1968-01-11

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BLAST, FIRE KILL NINE IN TWO HOMES.

Reading, Pa. (UPI) -- An explosion and fire leveled two adjoining homes Tuesday night and a witness said nine members of two families "never had a chance."
It took firemen more than 11 hours to pull the nine bodies, all charred beyond recognition, from the wreckage of the three-story brick and wood twin dwelling.

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