WEST READING, BERKS COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Officials have released an update on the deadly chocolate factory explosion in southeastern Pennsylvania.
The explosion happened Friday evening at R.M. Palmer Company in West Reading.
here are the latest casualty numbers as of Sunday morning.
According to the Associated Press, West Reading Borough Chief of Police Wayne Holben said the death toll rose on Sunday with the discovery of a fifth body at the site and the sixth and seventh bodies recovered later that day.
At a press conference, West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag explained what’s next.
“There will be three buildings condemned around the current site which is just a precaution as we move into the investigation phase to figure out what caused this and how we can prevent anything from happening like this again in the future,” said Kaag.
County representatives said one person was rescued alive Friday night, that individual was found in the rubble of the building blast in Berks County.
Eight people were hospitalized in the blast. A spokeswoman for Reading hospital said one person was transferred, two were in fair condition and the others were released.
City officials are reaching out to the community to connect those who need any assistance with proper resources.
