Current:Home > reviewsA Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion has killed 7 people -Prime Capital Blueprint
A Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion has killed 7 people
View
Date:2025-04-16 01:07:20
The death toll after an explosion at a chocolate factory in West Reading, Pa., on Friday has risen to seven people, after three missing people were found dead, according to the city's mayor.
"Please understand that this is still a devastating loss, but we are truly grateful to bring closure to the families involved in the upcoming days," Mayor Samantha Kaag said.
The explosion just before 5 p.m. Friday at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant destroyed one building and damaged another nearby. Several buildings nearby, including a medical supply, a church and apartment building, will be under condemnation as authorities investigate what caused the blast. They will not be demolished or deemed uninhabitable, Kaag said.
Earlier, rescuers searched throughout the night for the remaining missing people, removing debris and using canines, and they continue to do so, Police Chief Wayne Holben said Sunday. Holben said Saturday that rescuers found one person alive.
"We will not rest until every single person affected by this tragedy has been accounted for," Holben said.
"This morning at approximately 1 a.m., I issued a declaration of emergency to gather resources for the tragedy," Kaag said Saturday. "To the residents of the borough, I would like to directly address concerns of safety. This declaration is strictly to access more resources for emergency responders."
The names of the deceased will not be released until the families have been notified, Kaag said.
About eight people were taken to Reading Hospital on Friday evening, Kaag said. Authorities could not offer updates on their condition.
People were asked to move away from the site of the blast, but no evacuations were ordered. Some residents were displaced from a damaged apartment building nearby.
At a news conference Sunday, officials announced the creation of a disaster relief fund to help those affected by the explosion. Some community organizations are offering free grief counseling.
Officials from the United Way of Berks County and Berks County Community Foundation said donations to the fund will support families who lost loved ones or people who were displaced by the explosion.
A candlelight vigil will be held for the victims on Friday, Kaag said.
"It was the loudest thing I've ever heard in my life," Kristen Wisniewski, who lives three blocks from the factory, told local TV station 6abc. "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."
The company has made "seasonal chocolate novelties" since 1948 and employs 850 people at its West Reading headquarters, about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
"R.M. Palmer has been a presence in the community for decades now," West Reading Borough Council Vice President Phil Wert said Saturday, donating candy to Easter egg hunts and giving back to the community. He said it's the first responders' and elected officials' responsibility "to give back to them because they've given to us."
"Everyone at R.M. Palmer is devastated," the company said in a statement read by the mayor at Sunday's news conference. "Our focus remains on supporting our employees and their families, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted."
veryGood! (2717)
Related
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- The Daily Money: Inflation across the nation
- Yet another MLB uniform issue: Tigers' Riley Greene rips pants open sliding into home
- Man convicted of killing 6-year-old Tucson girl sentenced to natural life in prison
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Periodical cicadas will emerge in 2024. Here's what you need to know about these buzzing bugs.
- How to watch 2024 WNBA draft where Caitlin Clark is expected to be No. 1 overall pick
- Inflation runs hot for third straight month, driven by gas prices and rent
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Real Madrid and Man City draw 3-3 in frantic 1st leg of Champions League quarterfinals at Bernabeu
Ranking
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Hank Aaron memorialized with Hall of Fame statue and USPS stamp 50 years after hitting 715th home run
- Vermont’s Goddard College to close after years of declining enrollment and financial struggles
- Trump’s lawyers try for a third day to get NY appeals court to delay hush-money trial
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Another Trump delay effort in hush money trial rejected, but judicial panel will take up appeal during trial
- Opponents of smoking in casinos try to enlist shareholders of gambling companies in non-smoking push
- Anya Taylor-Joy's 'Furiosa' is a warrior of 'hope' amid 'Mad Max' chaos in new footage
Recommendation
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
Videos show Chicago police fired nearly 100 shots over 41 seconds during fatal traffic stop
Indianapolis teen charged in connection with downtown shooting that hurt 7
Sorry, Chet Holmgren. Victor Wembanyama will be NBA Rookie of the Year, and it’s not close
What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
Selling Sunset's Nicole Young Shares Update on Christine Quinn Amid Divorce
Fuerza Regida announces Pero No Te Enamores concert tour: How to get tickets, dates
Dude Perfect's latest trick — sinking up to $300 million in venture money