Two people are confirmed dead, eight were hospitalized, and nine remain unaccounted for after a severe explosion Friday night at a chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania. Local authorities say the incident has sent shockwaves through the community and prompted an urgent emergency response. News outlets and city officials are tracking the situation as rescuers coordinate search efforts. [Source: NBC Philadelphia]
At 2:57 p.m. local time, the blast tore through the RM Palme Company chocolate factory, triggering a massive collapse that reduced parts of the building to burning rubble. The blast sent debris raining onto nearby streets, and emergency crews quickly moved to secure the area, establish a perimeter, and pivot to search-and-rescue operations. The incident disrupted traffic and prompted shelter-in-place advisories for adjacent facilities as investigators evaluated the full scope of damage. [Source: NBC Philadelphia]
The exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation, and officials say it is too early to determine what triggered the blast. Early assessments indicate the blast damaged surrounding structures but did not create an immediate risk to residents in the surrounding commercial district. Fire officials and investigators are working through the night to determine whether internal factors or external conditions contributed to the incident. The broader community is being kept informed through official updates and ongoing briefings. [Source: NBC Philadelphia]
The town’s mayor, Samantha Kaag, confirmed that the factory building has been completely destroyed and that the force of the blast shifted its foundations by more than a meter. She noted that rescue and recovery operations will extend through the night and could continue through the weekend as crews comb the debris for victims and potential survivors. Emergency management teams are coordinating with state authorities to support the response, and residents in nearby blocks are urged to stay alert for further instructions. [Source: NBC Philadelphia]