All seven Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion victims found

Conrad Hoyt

March 27, 12:15 AM March 27, 12:15 AM

All seven victims in Friday's chocolate factory explosion in a small Pennsylvania town have been recovered.

None of the victims will be named until officials are absolutely sure that all families have been contacted, West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag said in a statement Sunday night, according to the .

MASSIVE EXPLOSION AT PENNSYLVANIA CHOCOLATE FACTORY KILLS 5, LEAVES 2 MISSING

Following the large explosion on Friday, a fire broke out at the R.M. Palmer Company. Thick smoke filled the air, and debris covered the nearby streets. Some victims at the candy factory were unaccounted for late into Sunday until one of them was found around 6:50 p.m. and the other was found at about 8:20 p.m.

Kaag, who is also a firefighter, expressed sorrow over the tragedy, speculated to have been caused by a gas leak, but without confirmation.

"Please understand that this is a devastating loss, but we are truly grateful to bring closure to the families involved in the upcoming days," Kaag said Sunday night.

Officials had no update on the condition of a woman pulled alive from the rubble early Saturday, with Kaag adding that the woman had apparently been on the second floor and was found in a "hopeful circumstance," calling for help from rescuers after a dog located her, per the . There were also no updates given on the statuses of those injured and taken to hospitals. However, Reading Hospital previously said 10 patients were admitted, two of whom were transferred to other facilities, while two others were admitted in good and fair condition. The others had been discharged.

R.M. Palmer, the chocolate company, said in a statement Saturday afternoon that everyone at the company was "devastated," and it was reaching out to employees and their families.

Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) visited the site of the explosion and said the state would be assisting the victims and eastern Pennsylvania town of about 4,500 people.

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.

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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.