A deadly explosion at a chocolate factory in Pennsylvania, US has left two people dead and five others missing. The explosion occurred on Friday, March 25, at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant, which produces chocolate and candy products and employs more than 500 people.
The explosion destroyed one building and damaged another, sending shockwaves through the small town of West Reading. Rescue crews worked tirelessly through the night and into the weekend to search through the rubble using specialized equipment and dogs, hoping to find any other survivors. One person was rescued from the rubble overnight, but the fate of the five missing individuals is still unknown.
According to a spokesperson for UGI Utilities, there were no calls about gas leaks before the explosion. The company is cooperating with the investigation and conducting checks on their facilities in the area. Eight people were taken to Reading Hospital for treatment, and while five of them were being released, the conditions of the others were unknown.
Local authorities are working diligently to uncover the cause of the explosion, which is still unknown and under investigation. The investigation is being led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, and the West Reading Police Department.
The explosion has left the community in mourning and seeking answers as to what caused this tragic incident. The town’s mayor, Andrew Kearney, expressed his condolences to the families affected and pledged to support them in any way possible. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones and those who are still missing,” Kearney said in a statement. “We will do everything in our power to find out what caused this tragedy and ensure that it never happens again.”
R.M. Palmer Co. has been in operation since 1948 and is known for producing seasonal chocolate and candy products, including Easter bunnies, Christmas Santas, and Halloween pumpkins. The company has yet to release a statement regarding the explosion.
The cause of the explosion remains a mystery, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist with the investigation.