In a marathon seven-hour session on December 10, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) convened in Washington, D.C., to discuss the March 24, 2023, natural gas–fueled explosion and fire at the R.M. Palmer candy factory in West Reading. While the meeting provided a detailed overview of the incident and the findings of the investigation thus far, the board ultimately opted to delay adopting the final report, citing the need for further revisions based on discussions held during the session.
The explosion, which claimed the lives of seven employees, injured 10 others, and destroyed the factory building, has left an indelible mark on the West Reading community. The NTSB’s investigation, which has spanned months, is aimed at uncovering the probable cause of the incident and recommending measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag attended the NTSB meeting in person and shared her reflections in a heartfelt statement. “Spending seven hours in Washington, D.C., today at the NTSB hearing was a deeply humbling experience,” she said. “The tragedy in West Reading profoundly impacted families, workers, and our entire community, leaving wounds that we must continue to address with care and compassion.”
Mayor Kaag emphasized the importance of the NTSB’s work in driving conversations about national safety measures, highlighting the resilience of the West Reading community. “West Reading is a testament to what it means to come together, share kindness as we slowly rebuild, and move forward stronger,” she added.
The Borough of West Reading also issued a statement acknowledging the draft findings presented during the NTSB meeting. “Our thoughts remain with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this event,” the statement read. “We stand united as a community, honoring their memory with resilience and compassion.”
Senator Judy Schwank expressed her gratitude for the NTSB’s thorough investigation in a statement released after the meeting. “The R.M. Palmer explosion was a tragic event for West Reading and the entire Berks County community,” she said. “For now, my main takeaway is the critical importance of recognizing the dangers of natural gas and erring on the side of caution whenever a leak is suspected.”
Senator Schwank noted that she would carefully review the final NTSB report, along with findings from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), to consider potential changes to state safety regulations.
Following the meeting, the NTSB issued a statement explaining their decision to postpone adopting the final report. “NTSB today did not adopt the final report for the March 24, 2023, fatal natural gas-fueled explosion and fire at the R.M. Palmer candy factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania, in order to incorporate the necessary changes discussed during today’s board meeting,” the statement read. “The report will be put for a final Board vote at a later date. The investigation remains ongoing.”
For additional details about the investigation, view the NTSB’s public docket which contains photos, reports, interview transcripts, and other materials. Visit the NTSB preliminary investigation page here. The meeting was livestreamed, but is not yet available on the video archive of the NTSB website.
