West Reading officials shared a bit of good news Saturday morning, more than 17 hours after an explosion and 4-alarm fire reduced a chocolate factory’s building to rubble.
The borough’s police chief announced during a news conference that rescue crews pulled a person alive from beneath the mounds of debris overnight.
“The discovery of life overnight, of the overnight recovery efforts, provides hope that others still may be found,” said Chief Wayne Holben.
Officials did not provide any additional information about the survivor, including the extent of injuries.
The chief said rescue crews are using specialized equipment and techniques to locate additional signs of life in the rubble.
The blast happened just before 5 p.m. Friday at a building on the R.M. Palmer Company property on South Second Avenue, just off Penn Avenue.
“It’s pretty leveled,” Kaag said of the building. “The building in the front, with the church and the apartments, the explosion was so big that it moved that building four feet forward.”
“Our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends of those who have been affected,” she said.
“I hope that the remaining victims are found safe, and that the community can continue to provide support to those affected by this tragedy in the coming days.”
Kaag also asked for “continued cooperation from the public to avoid the area as emergency response workers continue to traverse the difficult task of recovery & assessing damage that will continue throughout the weekend.”
“Please keep them in your prayers as they work tirelessly throughout the night,” she added.
West Reading is about 50 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
CNN has reached out to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for further details on the casualties.
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