VIDEO/PHOTOS: Officials say two more people have been found dead following the devastating explosion at the R.M. Palmer Company in West Reading, Pennsylvania.
The two victims are believed to be the two people who were previously unaccounted for, officials said during a briefing Sunday night.
In total, the explosion has claimed the lives of seven people. Their names have not been released at this time.
During a briefing on March 26, 2023, officials confirmed two more bodies were found at the site of a West Reading chocolate factory explosion. The death toll stands at seven.
The incident happened at approximately 5 p.m. Friday evening. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion coming from the candy factory, then saw flames shortly after.
Kristen Wisniewski lives three blocks from the local and well-known chocolate company.
WPVI-TV ABC 6 Philadelphia
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A firefighter was transported to the hospital while responding to a fire in Lackawanna County Thursday afternoon.
At 5:20 p.m., crews were dispatched to the 1100 block of Community Drive for a working house fire.
Officials say multiple units from the Scranton Fire Department and surrounding areas responded to the fire and were able to extinguish it.
According to the Scranton Association of Firefighters, Captain Roger Rogalewicz of the Scranton Fire Department suffered “a major injury” while cleaning up after the fire.
First responders said EMS and firefighters jumped into action to transport the captain to the hospital.
Scranton Fire Chief John Judge says the firefighter is currently in stable condition at the Geisinger Community Medical Center ICU.
WBRE-TV NBC 28 Wilkes-Barre
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Dozens of volunteer fire companies spent several hours putting out a brush fire in Lebanon County last week.
First responders said it took so long to get it under control because there weren't enough firefighters.
Rich Stichter has been a firefighter since he was 16, but his years of experience just weren't enough on Monday.
"It (the fire) was spreading faster than we could put it out," he said.
Stichter and one other volunteer were the only ones available to respond to a brush fire along Route 322 in Cornwall.
When they called for help, a tanker truck and one additional firefighter showed up. "The help situation is getting worse and worse," Stichter said.
He knows finding volunteers is a problem around the country. To attract attention, the Community Fire Company of Cornwall Borough decided to invest in advertising.
WGAL-TV NBC 8 Lancaster
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11 people were displaced and 2 were sent to the hospital after a fire in Sunbury.
The Sunbury fire department said they arrived at around 1:30 p.m. to Miller Street. They reported the fire as a second alarm and called in help from other local departments.
They said it took about an hour and a half to get it under control.
Officials have not given an update on those hospitalized.
The fire chief gave status of the 2 duplexes that were involved in the fire.
“We’re waiting for an excavator to tear this building down so we can get the rest of the fire out," said Chief Ronald Rupp Jr. of the Sunbury Fire Department. When asked if the other building was going to be demolished as well, he responded “No, it needs work, there is a lot of water damage and exterior damage."
The fire marshal was on scene and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
WOLF-TV FOX 56 Hazelton
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With Aqua Pennsylvania’s Delaware River intakes in Bristol Borough shut due to the chemical spill, Bucks County officials have brought in tankers from around the county to support local firefighters.
Aqua provides hydrant and drinking water to Bensalem Township and Bristol Borough and parts of Bristol Township. With the Delaware River intakes shut, there has been concern hydrants may not put out enough water if a blaze occurs, a fire source said.
The tanker trucks will provide additional water for fire trucks if needed in place of hydrants. The trucks will be stationed throughout Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, and Bensalem Township, according to officials. Aqua has not announced when their Delaware River intakes will reopen. They have been closed since the chemical spill in Bristol Township was discovered late Friday night.
Levittown Now
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Perry Hi-Way Hose Company was home to the Spring Craft and Gift Show this weekend.
This event is big for local vendors, but is also vital to the volunteer fire department.
The social hall had tables galore filled with vendors for their annual event.
Glenda Jaruszewicz, a Girl Scout Troop Leader for 71000 said they've been busy selling cookies recently, "It's busy two months so far. We've been everywhere from going door to door to pulling a wagon to coming up here."
This weekend event helped organizations like local girl scout troops sell cookies and other goods. Not only do these events help the local vendors, but they're also a huge help to the Perry Hi-Way Hose Company. Firefighters said that they'll be using all the money raised this weekend to help with equipment and to help with new gear for their firefighters.
WICU-TV NBC 12 Erie
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