An explosion at a chocolate factory in Pennsylvania has left two people dead as rescue workers continue to search for survivors in the rubble. Six people are still missing. The blast rocked the earth Friday evening and leveled the R. M. Palmer chocolate company’s headquarters in a shocking scene captured on video.
“It’s pretty leveled, unfortunately, there’s not too much to be able to salvage from it,” West Reading mayor and local firefighter Samantha Kaag said to WPVI News. “In the front, with the church and the apartments, the explosion was so big that it moved that building four feet forward.”
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A video of the explosion shows a massive plume of smoke and debris erupting into the sky as the ground shakes. The roof of the building appears to be thrown into the air as dust rapidly clouds the frame. Rubble is seen raining down over the surrounding area. The footage was captured by a weather camera belonging to FOX 29 News.
BREAKING: Massive #explosion at the RMPalmer Factory in West Redding. Our weather cameras caught the explosion. Almost at the scene to learn more from police. RMPalmer is a big chocolate candy maker, and makes a lot of Easter candy. @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/Jgpjbyt7fN
— Eddie Kadhim Journalist (@KadhimWrites) March 24, 2023
“It was the loudest thing I’ve ever heard in my life,” one resident told 6ABC News.
“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.”
Another resident remarked,
“I didn’t see flames at first, just a bunch of shingles and materials falling from the sky. I knew it was an explosion.”
Other residents told NBC 10 News that the explosion shook the earth as far as six blocks away.
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but authorities believe it was likely the result of a gas leak. The blast reportedly demolished the chocolate company’s headquarters, and several buildings in the surrounding area were damaged.
At least eight victims were brought to Reading Hospital for treatment after the explosion. According to a report from the hospital, most of the victims have already been discharged, and two were said to be in “fine condition.”
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Mayor Kaag issued a statement early Saturday morning offering support to the victims,
“The tragic explosion at R.M. Company and the loss of life has shaken our community… I hope the remaining victims are found safe, and that the community can continue to provide support to those affected by this tragedy… please hug your loved ones and cherish the time you have.”
To the residents, community, and those effected by todays tragedy – I extend my deepest sympathies. We are all in this together. pic.twitter.com/yzZsnunhyK
— Mayor Samantha Kaag (@SamanthaKaag) March 25, 2023
The R.M Palmer Company was founded in 1948 and has grown into the country’s leading chocolate manufacturer with 850 employees. It specializes in seasonal chocolates, including handcrafted Easter bunnies. The company’s website reads,
“What began as one man’s dream has grown into a collection of holiday novelties loved by millions of people … making it one of America’s largest and most innovative confectioners.”
Rescue workers are continuing to search through the rubble for the missing workers. A sniffer dog was spotted with several recovery crews at the site Saturday morning. The public has been urged to avoid the area as emergency workers search for survivors and assess the damages.
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