West Reading, Pennsylvania, was rocked by a powerful blast as the historic R.M. Palmer Co. chocolate factory exploded shortly before 5 p.m. on March 25. The disaster left “two people dead, several missing and eight others injured.” Footage from a nearby traffic camera is making the rounds of social media.
Chocolate factory explosion
Chief Wayne Holben with the West Reading Borough Police confirmed two fatalities and nine missing in the wake of an explosion at the R.M. Palmer Co. chocolate factory. The icon of the community is best known for their beloved Easter bunnies.
Reports from Tower Health note that “eight others were taken to Reading Hospital with injuries. Bezler said two people were admitted in fair condition and five others were treated and released.” One other victim “was taken to another facility” but only “limited details are available on that person’s condition.”
Immediately after the chocolate factory blew up, firefighters scrambled. The plant sits “in the heart of the town.” FOX 29 Philadelphia’s weather camera “captured the massive explosion, which sent large debris flying into the air and left a cloud of thick, billowing smoke.”
A chocolate factory in Pennsylvania has exploded. The R.M. Palmer Co. plant exploded unexpectedly.
One potential cause might’ve been chocolate dust, which just like many other types of dusts, can create big explosions pic.twitter.com/khVAuzQZPl
— LogKa (@LogKa11) March 25, 2023
At least a cocoa explosion should smell better than vinyl chloride. “The blast caused significant destruction, leveling R.M. Palmer’s Building 2 and causing damage to Building 1.”
Police note there is “no further danger but advised residents to avoid the area surrounding the factory until further notice.”
Investigators are still trying to determine what went wrong at the chocolate factory to cause the explosion.
Friend still missing
Local resident Liz Soto was nearby when the blast happened. she heard “a loud noise, like a roaring sound, then the house shook.” She’s also worried because “she hadn’t heard from a friend” employed at the factory. Ms. Soto relates that “she’s confirmed to have gone to work, but we don’t know anything about her.” Several fire departments were still battling the blaze Friday night.
According to R.M. Palmer’s website, the historic company “has been in business since 1948 and has over 850 employees at the headquarters in West Reading.” They note that their “factory is known for its seasonal novelties, like chocolate Easter bunnies, and is one of America’s largest and most innovative confectioners.”
Mere moments ago, the company issued a statement. “Everyone at RM Palmer is devastated by the tragic events at one of our West Reading facilities and we are focused on supporting our employees and their families. We have lost close friends and colleagues, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all who have been impacted.”
Terrifying moment huge explosion rips apart Pennsylvania chocolate factory – R.M. Palmer Co. plant in West Reading, Pennsylvania – killing two, injuring eight and leaving nine missing. https://t.co/2WINtTmQ1C via @MailOnline
— CJ4America (@GrammyC4Zone) March 25, 2023
“We are sincerely grateful for the extraordinary efforts of all the first responders and for the support of our Reading community, which has been home to our business for more than 70 years. We will continue to coordinate closely with local and national agencies to assist in the recovery process.” Human life and health is much more important than chocolate.
“We are anxious to be in touch with all employees and the families of employees who have been impacted, but the company’s email, phones, and other communication systems are down, and therefore we are relying currently on first responders and disaster recovery organizations to provide any available information to impacted families.”
“We will be providing additional information and making contact with employees, impacted families, and the community as soon as possible.” Their chocolate loving fans are behind them at this time of tragedy.
