Deadly Explosion at Pennsylvania Chocolate Factory Kills Two
An explosion occurred at a chocolate factory in Pennsylvania Friday, killing two people and leaving nine people missing, as per the authorities.
Palmer Co. plant, stated Wayne Holben, West Reading Borough Police Department Chief of Police, who did not confirm the exact number of injured.
The explosion just before 5 p.m. created a plume of black smoke in the air, destroyed one building, and damaged a neighbouring building with apartments.
The cause of the explosion in the community about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia was under investigation, Holden told reporters.
Eight people were sent to Reading Hospital Friday evening, Tower Health spokeswoman Jessica Bezler mentioned.
Two people were admitted in better medical condition, and five were being treated and would be released soon, she said.
People were urged to keep distance in each direction from the site of the explosion, but no evacuations were ordered yet.
The company's website shows it has been making “chocolate novelties” since 1948 and now had employed 850 people at its West Reading headquarters.