Feds Open Investigation Into Chocolate Factory Explosion That Left 7 Dead

The explosion at a Pennsylvania chocolates shop last week that resulted in many fatalities has been the subject of an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Seven people died in the blast on March 24 at the West Reading, Pennsylvania, chocolates shop of the R. M. Palmer Company, and ten more were hospitalized.

Keith Holloway, a spokesman for the NTSB, told the Associated Press that the agency is looking at “what caused, how and why the explosion occurred.” Government officials believe a natural gas pipeline nearby is linked to the explosion.

UGI Utilities, a gas and electric provider, is working with the state and federal authorities in their probe. 

” UGI sends its sincere condolences to all those affected by the tragic event that occurred on March 24, 2023, at R. M. Palmer Company in West Reading.” UGI is dedicated to Berks County’s and all the communities we serve as a common value, the company stated in an announcement on Tuesday.

UGI Utilities is aware that it is the party duty to provide our clients with safe and dependable service. The announcement continued,” We take our role seriously, and we are working with local officials, state and federal agencies to ascertain the cause of the incident on March 24, 2023.

Additionally, the business declared it would give$ 100,000 to the West Reading Disaster Recovery Fund.

The Berks County prosecutor’s office is still identifying the additional survivors who were killed in the explosion, but two have been named. Domingo Cruz, 60, and Amy Sandoe, 49, perished in the blast on Friday.

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” The seven people we lost will always be in our blessings, and we send our best wishes for a quick recovery to those who were hurt.” Many of us became close friends and respected members of the Palmer team over the many year that we have worked there. The dessert factory’s managers declared in a statement that their loss would be felt for all time.

The area around the factory may be closed to the public as a result of the explosion while police look into the situation and public health officials assess the damage.

According to police chief Wayne Holben,” it will entail clearing the area, removing debris, and ensuring that buildings are secure to hold.” ” To ensure that the remediation is done safely, effectively, and with minimal impact on the surrounding neighborhood ,” we are attentively collaborating with emergency response teams, economic experts, as well as building professionals.