Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion: Five dead as rescuers search for survivors
WEST READING, PENNSYLVANIA: Five people are reported to have been killed in an explosion at a Pennsylvania chocolate factory on Friday evening of March 24. Rescuers have been combing the rubble of the historic RM Palmer building in search of possible survivors and almost six remain missing with one being pulled out from the rubble alive.
Chief of Police Wayne Holben said the rescue of one person from the rubble "provides hope that others still may be found." Rescue personnel continued their exhaustive search using specialized equipment and techniques. According to officials, dogs and imaging technology were utilized to search for signs of life, as per 6 ABC.
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'It's pretty leveled, unfortunately'
Ten people were brought to hospital Tower Health in Reading where one patient was moved and two were admitted in "fair" condition. The hospital has announced that the other patients have been discharged. The identities of the victims and those hospitalized have not been released at this time.
On Friday, just before 5 pm, a large explosion occurred at the RM Palmer Company in West Reading. The explosion resulted in the destruction of building No 2 located at 55 S 2nd Avenue and damaging neighboring Palmer building No 1 located at 77 S 2nd Avenue, Holben said as per a report. "It's pretty leveled, unfortunately, there's not too much to be able to salvage from it," said Mayor Samantha Kaag. "In the front, with the church and the apartments, the explosion was so big that it moved that building four feet forward", she added.
'It was the loudest thing I've ever heard'
Apparently, Kaag reported that no evacuations were ordered, however, residents were instructed to move back about one block in every direction. After declaring an emergency to allocate more space and resources for first responders, several tenants were reportedly displaced from the damaged apartment complex, as per borough manager Dean Murray. While authorities are still investigating the cause, preliminary findings suggest that the blast was caused by a gas leak.
According to a report, Philip Wert, vice president of the West Reading council, noted that the building was built in the late 1950s or early 1960s.
"It was the loudest thing I've ever heard in my life," said Kristen Wisniewski, who lives three blocks from the chocolate factory. "It literally felt like the ground fell out from underneath you. The whole house shook and my dogs froze, they couldn't move, it was scary", she added.