An explosion at a historic chocolate factory in southeastern Pennsylvania left two dead, several missing and eight injured Friday afternoon.
West Reading Police Chief Wayne Holben confirmed two dead and nine missing after an explosion at the RM Palmer chocolate factory in West Reading just before 5pm.
Tower Health spokeswoman Jessica Bezler told the Associated Press in an email that eight other people were taken to Reading Hospital with injuries on Friday night. Bezler said two were hospitalized in good condition and five of her others were treated and released.
She added that one victim was transferred to another facility. Limited details are available about the person’s condition.
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An explosion at the RM Palmer chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania killed two people and left nine missing. (WTXF/screen grab)
Firefighters responded to the South 2nd Avenue facility in the town center after receiving reports of an explosion and multi-alarm fire. FOX 29 Philadelphia report. The outlet’s weather cameras captured a massive explosion, sending large debris into the air and leaving behind a thick billowing cloud of smoke.
The blast caused extensive destruction, collapsing RM Palmer’s Building 2 and damaging Building 1.
Holden said there was no further danger, but advised residents to avoid the area until further notice. He also said investigators are working to determine the cause of the explosion.
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At least nine people are missing hours after the explosion at RM Palmer’s chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania, officials said. (WTXF)
“There was a loud roar and the house shook,” Liz Soto, who was near the explosion, told Fox 29. She also said she hadn’t heard from a friend of hers who works inside the factory.
“She went to work. It’s been confirmed that she went to work, but we don’t know anything about her,” Soto told the outlet.
As of late Friday night, various fire stations remained at the scene.
A powerful explosion blew out windows in a nearby restaurant and blew out a door in another building. (WTXF)
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According to RM Palmer’s website, the company has been in business since 1948 and employs more than 850 people at its headquarters in West Reading.
FOX 29 Philadelphia SkyFOX captured smoke rising from the remains of a collapsed building after an explosion at a chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania. (WTXF)
Known for seasonal novelties such as the chocolate Easter Bunny, the Candy Factory is one of America’s largest and most innovative confectionery manufacturers.
This is a developing story. Please check the latest information.
