Massive explosion at Pennsylvania chocolate factory kills 5, leaves 6 missing

Heather Hunter

March 25, 11:18 AM March 25, 11:46 AM

Five people were killed in a powerful explosion at a chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania, on Friday.

Following the large explosion, a fire broke out at the RM Palmer Company. Thick smoke filled the air, and debris covered the nearby streets.

MARS WRIGLEY SLAPPED WITH OSHA FINE AFTER WORKERS FELL INTO CHOCOLATE TANK

Six people are still unaccounted for at the candy factory, according to West Reading police.

Numerous others were transported to a nearby hospital. Officials say they are still gathering the number of injuries at this time.

Local reports speculate it was caused by a gas leak, but investigators are still looking into the cause of the explosion.

South Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag, who is also a firefighter, went to the scene of the explosion.

"To the residents, community, and those effected by todays tragedy - I extend my deepest sympathies. We are all in this together," Kaag wrote on social media.

"It's pretty leveled; unfortunately, there's not too much to be able to salvage from it. In the front, with the church and the apartments, the explosion was so big that it moved that building four feet forward," she told a West Reading news outlet.

Pennsylvania State Senator Judy Schwank expressed how her "heart is with everyone affected by this terrible tragedy."

Fire crews are busy clearing the scene, and officials say there is no more danger to the community at this time.

Ohio train derailment: East Palestine residents 'sound like Mickey Mouse'

Heather Hunter

February 25, 03:22 PM February 25, 03:22 PM

Following the toxic train derailment and explosion in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, residents are furious about the mounting health concerns related to the incident.

Ohio resident Wade Lovett is reportedly having trouble breathing and now "sounds like Mickey Mouse."

'SOMEONE ON THE STAFF BLEW IT': BIDEN AND BUTTIGIEG'S BAD WEEK IN EAST PALESTINE

“My voice sounds like Mickey Mouse. My normal voice is low. It’s hard to breathe, especially at night," he told the New York Post. "My chest hurts so much at night I feel like I’m drowning. I cough up phlegm a lot. I lost my job because the doctor won’t release me to go to work,” Lovett allegedly said in "an extremely high-pitched voice."

The 40-year-old auto dealer says medical professionals have told him that he has "chemicals" in him, but "there’s no one in town who can run the toxicological tests to find out which ones they are."

Despite his health condition, he and his fiancee have been delivering bottled water to other residents in his community.

Other residents are experiencing health issues, including rashes and sore throats from the chemical fire explosion.

Texas A&M University of Environmental Protection Agency reported on Friday that it found nine air pollutants at levels that could raise long-term health concerns for residents in the area.

Toxic vinyl chloride was spilled and later burned when rail cars blew up following the derailment. A class-action suit has been filed against Norfolk Southern Railway on behalf of hundreds of affected residents within 30 miles of the derailment.

Medical professionals suspect that some people's headaches, rashes, and respiratory problems are associated with the hazardous chemicals in the air.

Social media influencer Benny Johnson visited the scene and said the air quality "burns your skin."

"You get hit with it. It's like a wave," he said in a social media video.

East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway says he's nervous about the long-term effects on his residents.

"A lot of our residents have moved back in, and I'm generally concerned about their concerns. I just don't know — they tell us the water's safe, it's safe to go back to your home, but yet there's people getting rashes, and I mean, they're nervous, so I really feel for our residents," he said. "We're going to need yearly health checks, if not, you know, bi-yearly health checks."