NTSB investigating deadly Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion

114
1
NTSB investigating deadly Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion

Emergency responders and heavy equipment are seen at the site of a deadly explosion at a chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania on Saturday, March 25. Palmer Co. killed seven people, sent 10 to the hospital and damaged several other buildings in West Reading, a small town 60 miles 96 kilometers northwest of Philadelphia, where the 75-year-old family-owned company has had a factory for a long time.

The National Transportation Safety Board announced the investigation late Tuesday afternoon, calling the incident a natural gas explosion and fire. A gas pipeline was involved in the agency's investigation, according to a agency spokeswoman, Keith Holloway, told The Associated Press that the agency has preliminary information from local authorities and a natural gas utility.

According to Holloway, the NTSB is investigating what caused, how and why the explosion occurred.

Other local, state and federal investigations are ongoing.

Pennsylvania State Police said everything s on the table, as fire marshals try to pinpoint the origin and cause. Some workers told relatives they smelled natural gas before the blast, but the gas utility UGI said it received no reports of a gas leak.

UGI is cooperating with authorities in the investigation of the incident at R.M. Joe Swope, utility spokesman, said late Tuesday. He directed further questions to the NTSB.