Chocolate factory explosion in Pennsylvania

[TH2002]

Wasn't sure where to post this, but as if enough lives weren't lost in the horrific Mississippi tornadoes yesterday...
A chocolate factory exploded in West Reading, PA. Five dead so far.

Death Toll Rises to 7 in Chocolate Factory Explosion (Published 2023)

One person was found alive in the rubble overnight on Friday after an explosion at the R.M. Palmer Company chocolate factory in West Reading, Pa., officials said.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Jacob]

That’s terrible. I work in an oil refinery now so explosions, leaks, etc are always in the back of your mind, but chocolate factories aren’t something that make you think explosive hazards. Granted, I know nothing about the process, and there’s always some risk in an industrial process. I’ll be curious to see what the cause of this is determined to be.

 

[Lake Martin EF4]

Wasn't sure where to post this, but as if enough lives weren't lost in the horrific Mississippi tornadoes yesterday...
A chocolate factory exploded in West Reading, PA. Five dead so far.

Death Toll Rises to 7 in Chocolate Factory Explosion (Published 2023)

One person was found alive in the rubble overnight on Friday after an explosion at the R.M. Palmer Company chocolate factory in West Reading, Pa., officials said.

www.nytimes.com

I was going to crack a Hershey or maybe Willy Wonka related joke until I read "Five dead so far". Terrible news, but how the heck did a chocolate factory explode?

 

[maroonedinhsv]

I was going to crack a Hershey or maybe Willy Wonka related joke until I read "Five dead so far". Terrible news, but how the heck did a chocolate factory explode?

I’d bet good money on gas leak as the cause. Gotta melt that stuff somehow.

 

[Sawmaster]

Starch dust explosion has been mentioned as having happened with chocolate factories before. Sugar dust also can go boom. Or natural gas. Palmer makes a lot of holiday chocolates as well as the YooHoo candy bar