R.M. Palmer explosion Fire & EMS dispatch audio, first hour of on-scene radio traffic

An explosion at a West Reading chocolate factory left seven dead and ten initially hospitalized on Friday March 24, 2023. The explosion happened just prior to 5pm, destroying R.M. Palmer Company building #2 located at 55 South 2nd Ave. The explosion also damaged several neighboring buildings. Dozens of firefighters initially responded to the scene finding heavy fire, debris scattered throughout the area and many employees trapped under the rubble. Visit https://berksweekly.com for more news on Reading and Berks County.