Palmer Chocolate Factory Explodes, 4 Killed

Joseph Swope, a spokesman for UGI Utilities, told BuzzFeed News in a statement that the company did not receive a call before the incident reporting any kind of gas odor or leak.

“We responded to the incident based on the report of an explosion,” Swope said. “We turned off the gas in the area to aid fire-fighting efforts because our equipment on site was damaged by the explosion.”

On Saturday, Borough Fire Chief Chad Moyer said the chances of finding anyone missing still alive was “decreasing rapidly” due to the “violence of  the explosion” and how much time has passed.

Frankie Gonzalez, whose sister remained missing on Sunday, told local news outlet 6 ABC that his family is not giving up hope on finding her. 

“My sister, she came to work and she never made it home,” Gonzalez told 6 ABC. “There’s still a couple people that are unaccounted for, she’s one of them. We’re hoping she found a pocket she could hide in.”

Kaag added that local officials received a call from the White House on Saturday offering federal assistance and resources. 

In a statement, R.M. Palmer said it will work closely with local and national agencies to assist in the recovery process.

“Everyone at RM Palmer is devastated by the tragic events at one of our West Reading Facilities and we are focused on supporting our employees and their families,” the statement read. “We have lost close friends and colleagues, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all who have been impacted.”

A spokesperson for Tower Health, told BuzzFeed News that Reading Hospital received 10 people with injuries and of those, one patient was transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital. As of Sunday, only two people continued to be treated at Reading Hospital, and they were in good and fair condition.