Some consider America’s first World War I casualties to be the 133 workers who died 106 years ago today on April 10, 1917 in a munitions factory explosion at Eddystone.

The explosion occurred only four days after America had declared war on Germany.

Most of those who died were women, writes David Tristan for abc27.

The Eddystone armory was created by the Baldwin Locomotive Works when they were subcontracted to make rifles and artillery shells for the war effort

Eddystone was making shrapnel shells, filled with round balls or bullets. 

At about 10 a.m., April 10, 1917, a huge explosion demolished the “F” Building,

There were 18 tons of black powder propellant stored at the factory, which may have ignited, triggering the explosion. 

Several smaller blasts sprayed the area with shrapnel bullets. Besides the casualties, many workers and first responders were injured, including a fireman who lost a leg.

Hundreds responded to help but by 11 AM, the local hospitals were filled beyond capacity.  

Today, there are 55 unidentified workers buried in a mass grave at Chester Rural Cemetery who could not be identified.

The actual cause of the explosion was never determined.

The plant reopened a few weeks later.

Read more about this Eddystone explosion at abc27.

Taking a look at the rifle that was manufactured at the Eddystone plant.