The RM Palmer Chocolate Factory in West Reading, PA, goes up in flames; 2 dead, others missing, hospitalized

WEST READING, PA — Two people died Friday night in a fire at a West Reading chocolate factory.

Two people are dead and seven are missing, according to West Reading police.

Officials say at least six people have been hospitalized, and the number of injured is unknown at this time.

Berks County fire crews were on scene. The fire was reported just before 5pm at RM Palmer.

Eyewitnesses reported that they heard an explosion from the confectionery factory, and soon saw flames.

The explosion is believed to have been caused by a gas leak, but officials are still investigating the cause.

No one was evacuated as a result of the explosion, but the mayor of West Reading asked everyone within a one-block radius to stay away from the area.

“It’s pretty flat, unfortunately there’s not much that can be salvaged,” said Mayor Samantha Kaag. “In the front, with the church and apartments, the explosion was so violent that it moved that building four feet forward.”

Officials say it was a four-alarm fire.

There is no information about the condition of the hospitalized patients. Officials also did not release the names of the victims.