Seven people have died and significant damage has been caused to the West Reading, Pennsylvania area after a powerful natural gas explosion at the R.M. Palmer chocolate factory. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report confirming the cause of the explosion and that it destroyed one building and caused structural damage to an adjacent building and other nearby structures. Witnesses reported smelling a “rotten eggs” odor prior to the blast and the NTSB’s investigation is ongoing. The tragedy has left the small town in shock, mourning the loss of life and destruction of the factory.
