Regulators seek $2.6M in penalties for deadly 2023 chocolate factory explosion
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania regulators asked an administrative law judge Wednesday to force a gas utility to pay $2.6 million in civil penalties over a chocolate factory explosion three years ago that killed seven workers and sent flames into the air.
The Public Utilities Commission has filed a formal complaint against the gas division of UGI Utilities Inc., alleging that the company’s distribution facilities serving RM Palmer Company in West Reading violated state and federal standards and regulations.
The commission says the deadly March 2023 explosion and fire destroyed a factory building and a neighboring apartment building, causing about $42 million in property damage. Ten people were injured, four of them seriously, the commission said.
UGI released a statement Wednesday calling the explosion a heartbreaking tragedy and expressing sympathy for the victims’ families, West Reading residents and others affected.
A woman pulled alive from the rubble told the Associated Press in 2023 that flames engulfed the building and her arm when the ground gave way beneath her. Patricia Borges fell into a vat of liquid chocolate, which extinguished her inflamed arm. Borges broke his collarbone and both heels and spent nine hours screaming for help and waiting for help while firefighters battled the inferno.
The company said it is “committed to providing safe and reliable service to our customers and communities. Public awareness and education remains at the core of our mission.” He urged people to evacuate immediately if they smell gas and move at least 360 feet (110 meters) away before calling 911 or IGU at 800-276-2722.
The state’s utility regulator wants Denver, Pa.-based UGI to expand the use of remote methane detectors, inspect old plastic pipe fittings more often and strengthen emergency response procedures.
The explosion was traced to a plastic replacement part on the street near the plant, located about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia. The gas entered the factory building and somehow ignited.
The National Transportation Safety Board previously concluded that the plant did not have natural gas emergency procedures in place that could have resulted in an immediate evacuation. Workers reported smelling gas before it ignited.
