A tragic explosion at the RM Palmer Company chocolate factory in West Reading has left five people dead and six others missing. The explosion occurred on Friday, March 24, and destroyed one building while severely damaging another. It took the first responders several hours to control the fire that engendered from the blast.

According to police reports, eight people were hospitalized, but only three are still receiving treatment while the others have been released from the hospital. The explosion and the resulting fire also caused the RM Palmer Company to suffer significant damage. The Palmer family has not yet commented on the events.

The cause of the explosion is yet to be determined, but investigations are ongoing. The West Reading police have announced that they will thoroughly examine the site and speak to the witnesses to gain clues into the accident. RM Palmer is a prominent chocolate factory that has been producing confections since 1948, and time will tell the extent to which this catastrophe will impact the company's operations.