In the midst of unimaginable tragedy, a glimmer of hope sprang forth in the early morning hours Saturday.
Rescue workers sifting through the rubble that just hours before was a West Reading chocolate factory found a survivor of the blast.
“The discovery provides hope that others may still be found,” West Reading Police Chief Wayne Holben said during a press conference at borough hall late Saturday morning.
Holben could not provide any further information about the survivor or their condition.
As Holben, West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag and other officials spoke to members of the media just after 10:30 a.m., efforts to repeat the hopeful discovery from earlier in the morning continued. Crews working in shifts worked methodically to remove debris left by the blast that rocked the borough Friday evening.
The explosion at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant on South Second Avenue, which happened just before 5 p.m., killed two people, injured nine others and has left five people missing, officials said Saturday morning.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency earlier Saturday had said that five had been killed and six were missing, according to The Associated Press, but West Reading officials said during a press conference Saturday morning that that information was not accurate.
No information is available on the identities of the victims.
Eight people injured in the explosion were taken to Reading Hospital Friday evening, one of whom was transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Tower Health spokeswoman Jessica Bezler said.
Two of the patients at Reading were admitted in fair condition and five were treated and released, she said. The condition of the patient who was transferred was unavailable.
The cause of the blast is under investigation, Holben said. Kaag added that the investigation will be an “all weekend” thing and likely extend even longer.
Kaag said the number of people displaced by the blast, which violently shook nearby buildings, is unclear. Resources are being made available for those who were forced from their homes.
Holben said engineers were on scene Saturday morning checking the stability of buildings in the area and making sure that the situation remained safe for rescue workers.
Kaag said rescue efforts are being aided by Palmer officials, who were able to provide information on who was likely in the building at the time of the explosion. Trying to account for those still deemed missing is an ongoing, urgent task, she added.
“I know it must be frustrating for their families,” she said. “I can’t imagine that feeling.”
To aid in search and rescue efforts, Kaag said, the borough has declared a state of emergency. She stressed that residents should not interpret that declaration as a reason to be afraid or unsafe, simply saying it will allow West Reading to gain access to more resources.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said the state will make sure those resources are available.
He stopped by the site Saturday morning, spending about an hour with rescue workers before speaking briefly with the press.
“It’s just incredibly heartbreaking,” he said. “But also heartwarming.”
Shapiro said he was touched by the response to the disaster, saying emergency personnel left their own homes and families to rush to the scene. That includes a Philadelphia firefighter with whom the governor spoke. He told Shapiro he felt it was his duty to help however he could.
“It’s inspiring,” Shapiro said. “These are just good people who want to get people back to their families, and then get back to their own families.”
The governor said West Reading will have the state’s full support during rescue efforts, as well as in the weeks and months of recovery the borough will face. He said he will be working with Kaag to determine what’s needed. In the meantime, state agencies are working to coordinate with local agencies to aid in the rescue and recovery.
“It’s just tragic what happened here,” Shapiro said. “We’re going to get through this, we’re going to rebuild and we’re going to be here for West Reading to make sure they have everything they need.”
Speaking at Saturday morning’s press conference, West Reading Borough Council vice president Phil Wert described the blast as “beyond tragic.” But, he added, the discovery of a survivor is a silver lining.
“Someone was found alive in the rubble, not knowing if they were going to live or die,” he said. “And they have a second chance now.”
Kaag added that she has been overwhelmed by the support the borough has received, saying offers for help have been pouring in continuously.
“I’ve never been more proud of Berks County,” she said. “I’ve never been more proud of West Reading.”
UGI Utilities Inc. responded to the scene Friday night to help firefighters by cutting off natural gas to the neighborhood, company spokesman Joe Swope said. About 40 customers were disconnected, most of whom have now been restored.
UGI is assisting with the investigation into the cause of the explosion, he said.
“We’re trying to figure out what happened,” he said.
The explosion sent a large plume of black smoke into the air. It knocked down Building No. 2 at the plant at 55 S. Second Ave., and damaged Building No. 1 at 77 S. Second Ave., Holben said. It also damaged a neighboring building that included apartments.
Footage from a nearby weather camera from Philadelphia TV station Fox 29 showed the force of the blast, which sent building debris high into the air.
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