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WASHINGTON — The demise toll from an explosion at a chocolate manufacturing facility within the US state of Pennsylvania rose to a few Saturday with 4 individuals lacking, native officers mentioned, as rescuers raced towards the clock to seek out survivors.
Crews have been nonetheless eradicating particles and rubble following the Friday afternoon explosion on the RM Palmer Company plant within the West Reading borough of Pennsylvania.
However, “due to the violence of the explosion and the amount of time that has passed, the chance of finding survivors is decreasing rapidly,” West Reading Fire Chief Chad Mayor advised a press convention Saturday.
TV footage confirmed a fireplace blazing within the particles after the explosion, with firefighters making an attempt to extinguish it.
“(The factory) is pretty leveled, unfortunately. There’s not much they can salvage from the building,” West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag mentioned in a televised press convention shortly after the blast.
“In the front, with the church and the apartments, the explosion was so big it moved that building four feet forward,” she added.
West Reading Chief of Police Wayne Holben advised reporters on the press convention Saturday that “a third body was located at the RM Palmer site and has been confirmed deceased.”
“Crews are continuing their diligent efforts in sifting through the debris in order to locate any additional individuals,” Holben mentioned.
Fire Chief Mayor added that “currently we have four individuals that are unaccounted for.”
The reason behind the blast was nonetheless beneath investigation, authorities mentioned.
According to its web site, RM Palmer has been producing seasonal chocolate novelties — like Easter bunnies and heart-shaped Valentine’s Day sweets — since 1948.
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