2023 Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion

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2023 Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion
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DateMarch 24, 2023 (2023-03-24)
Time4:57 p.m. (Eastern time zone)
LocationWest Reading, Pennsylvania, United States
Coordinates40°20′04″N 75°56′31″W / 40.33444°N 75.94194°W / 40.33444; -75.94194
TypeNatural gas pipe leak and explosion[1]
Deaths7
Non-fatal injuries10

On March 24, 2023,[2] an explosion occurred at a chocolate factory operated by the R.M. Palmer Company in West Reading, Pennsylvania. Seven people died and ten were injured, including one rescued from the rubble.[3] At around 4:57 p.m (EST),[4] it sent plumes of smoke into the air and shook houses. The cause of the explosion has been determined to be a natural-gas fueled explosion and fire.[5]

Explosion

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At 4:30 PM (EST), workers at R.M. Palmer building #2 detected the smell of natural gas.[6] They promptly reported to their supervisor, who informed them that a decision to evacuate would have to be made by a higher-up. The employees then returned to work.[7]

The explosion started just before 5:00 (EST) on March 24, 2023. It destroyed building #2, while damaging the main building. The explosion contained so much force that it physically moved one of the buildings back by four feet. After the explosion, damage from it resulted in the leak of gas that began to further fuel the ensuing fires.[8]

Reports made from Berks County, the county where West Reading is located, to Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency included a reference to a gas leak, possibly suggesting that the incident was instigated by a leak of gas. Local authorities, however, have indicated that the official cause is unknown.[9] Officials are still investigating the cause.[10] The National Transportation Safety Board has characterized it as a gas explosion,[7] and is examining a natural gas pipeline for fractures and any other sort of damage. A preliminary report was issued on May 2, 2023.[11] A final report could take up to two years to be released.[12]

Seven people, including 60-year-old Domingo Cruz, 49-year-old Amy Sandoe, 30-year-old Xiorky Nunez, 63-year-old Susan Halvonik, 62-year-old Michael Breedy, 44-year-old Diana Cedeno, and 55-year-old Judith Lopez-Moran, were killed.[12] Eight people were also reported to have been sent to Reading Hospital to be treated for their injuries, where one person had been transferred and two were in fair condition, while the others had been released.[13][14]

On March 25, one person had been pulled out of the rubble.[15] Later, the victim, Mexican-American Patricia Borges, stated that she and employees had alerted their supervisor half an hour prior to the eventual explosion, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. When the explosion occurred, she was shaken off a ladder and caught on fire. She prayed to God, asking Him to save her from the fire, while attempting to flee, at which point the floor gave way and she fell into a horizontal vat of liquid chocolate in the factory's basement, which extinguished the flames.[16] She screamed for help as the vat began to fill with water from firefighters' hoses. Crews eventually discovered her after search dogs indicated that there may have been a survivor.[17]

Responses

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The following morning, state officials disputed the death toll; initial reports said five died, and later two.[18] Police chief Wayne Holben said the explosion was not dangerous to the immediate surrounding area, but police had cleared the scene of people.[13]

Company

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On the afternoon of March 25, 2023, the R.M. Palmer Company provided the following 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. We are sincerely grateful for the extraordinary efforts of all of 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.
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."

— R.M. Palmer Company[19]

The Hershey Company, a leading competitor in the candy industry, also sent a message of support to Palmer:

Our deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones, partners and fellow candy makers at the R.M. Palmer Company. We are heartbroken for them as well as the community of West Reading.
Thank you to the first responders and their dedicated work, and know that we are here to offer comfort and support to all.

— The Hershey Company[20]

Government

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The Berks County government responded by stating that the county was expressing its deepest sympathy, and is committed to supporting the community affected by the disaster. The county also urged the community to rally together and spread support to the surrounding West Reading area.[21][8]

Judy Schwank, a Democratic senator from Pennsylvania, representing the state's 11th District, was said to be "deeply devastated" from what occurred, noting "This is an extremely difficult situation", and that it was unlike anything that the county had dealt with in recent memory. She also applauded the community's response, and followed by saying "I will continue to follow the situation and do everything in my power to ensure all state emergency response resources are available."[14]

Lawsuits

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On March 27, 2023, a neighbor named Betty Wright filed a lawsuit against R.M. Palmer for criminal negligence and recklessness and seeking for $50,000 due to physical and emotional suffering.[22] She claimed to have suffered cervical, lumbar, hip and leg injuries, as well as wage loss and loss of property.[23]

References

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  1. ^ "UGI Corporation Natural Gas–Fueled Explosion and Fire". ntsb. July 18, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  2. ^ "Chocolate factory explosion in West Reading leaves 2 dead, 9 unaccounted for". 6abc Philadelphia. March 24, 2023. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  3. ^ Barr, Barbara (March 26, 2023). "Four killed in candy factory explosion, three still missing". WGAL. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  4. ^ Deliso, Meredith; Perez, Robinson; Chile, Patricio (March 25, 2023). "2 dead, 9 missing after explosion at chocolate factory in Pennsylvania". ABC News. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  5. ^ "PLD23LR002.aspx". www.ntsb.gov. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  6. ^ Gallagher, Bryanna (March 25, 2023). "RM Palmer Company chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania explodes in flames; 4 dead, others missing & hospitalized". 6abc.com. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Rubinkam, Michael; Coronado, Acacia (April 1, 2023). "Factory explosion survivor, on fire, fell into chocolate vat". AP News. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Rubinkam, Michael; Todt, Ron (March 25, 2023). "Search on for missing in deadly chocolate factory explosion". AP NEWS. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  9. ^ Deliso, Meredith; Perez, Robinson; Chile, Patricio; El-Bawab, Nadine (March 30, 2023). "7 killed in explosion at chocolate factory in Pennsylvania identified". ABC News. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  10. ^ Chen, Shawna (March 27, 2023). "7 dead after Pennsylvania chocolate factory explodes". Axios. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  11. ^ "UGI Corporation Natural Gas–Fueled Explosion and Fire". www.ntsb.gov. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Names of All 7 Victims Killed in Chocolate Factory Explosion Revealed". NBC10 Philadelphia. March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Levenson, Michael; Holpuch, Amanda; DeKok, David (March 24, 2023). "Chocolate Factory Explosion in Pennsylvania Leaves Five Dead and Six Missing". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Chirbas, Kurt; Stelloh, Tim; Burke, Minyvonne (March 24, 2023). "2 dead and 5 unaccounted for after explosion rocks Pennsylvania chocolate factory". NBC News. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  15. ^ Gallagher, Bryanna (March 25, 2023). "Survivor pulled from rubble after PA chocolate factory explosion; 2 killed". KABC-TV. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  16. ^ Rubinkam, Michael; Coronado, Acacia (April 1, 2023). "Factory explosion survivor, on fire, fell into chocolate vat". AP News. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  17. ^ "Pennsylvania woman pulled from blast at chocolate factory recalls smelling gas". The Guardian. March 31, 2023. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  18. ^ Lewis, Siafa (March 25, 2023). "Officials dispute state agency's death toll in candy factory explosion". CBS News. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  19. ^ "RM Palmer Company releases statement after chocolate factory explosion". WGAL. March 25, 2023. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  20. ^ Wesser, James (March 25, 2023). "RM Palmer, Hershey release statements regarding factory explosion". WHTM-TV.
  21. ^ Weaver, Stephanie (March 25, 2023). "County of Berks Statement on RM Palmer tragedy" (PDF). www.countyofberks.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  22. ^ Schweigert, Keith (March 28, 2023). "Neighbor sues R.M. Palmer Company for negligence in aftermath of chocolate factory explosion". fox43.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  23. ^ El-Bawab, Nadine (March 30, 2023). "Neighbor files lawsuit against Pennsylvania chocolate factory over deadly explosion". ABC News. Retrieved March 31, 2023.