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West Reading chocolate factory explosion: South Second Avenue reopens 1 1/2 years after fatal blast

The street that stretches in front of a West Reading chocolate plant that exploded in March 2023 and been reopened 1 1/2 years  after the fatal blast.

An R.M. Palmer Co. plant on South Second Avenue exploded just before 5 p.m. on March 24, leveling the building and killing seven workers inside. The blast littered the area with rubble and damaged surrounding buildings.

Items left in the first block of South Second Avenue in West Reading honor those killed in the R.M. Palmer Co. chocolate factory explosion in March 2023. The street has reopened to traffic for the first time since the explosion. (BILL UHRICH – READING EAGLE)

Because of that, as well as ongoing demolition and cleanup work, the first block of South Second Avenue was shut down.

The first block of South Second Avenue in West Reading has reopened to traffic after being closed since March 2023 following the explosion at the R.M. Palmer Co. chocolate factory that killed seven workers. (BILL UHRICH – READING EAGLE)

While some small final touches are still being done on sidewalks in the block, the main work in the area has been completed. With the stretch deemed safe for traffic, the street reopened Aug. 29, according to Mayor Samantha Kaag.

As for the future of the blast site, Kaag said there will likely be discussion about erecting a memorial there for the workers who lost their lives in the explosion. But, she said, it will take some time until any site plans are mapped out.


Source: Berkshire mont

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