Yesterday (March 24) marked the second anniversary of the tragic explosion at the RM Palmer factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania. A memorial service was held at Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church to honor the seven workers who lost their lives in the disaster. Federal investigators determined that a gas leak caused the explosion, which also injured 10 people and destroyed the factory building.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the explosion occurred when natural gas leaked from a UGI Corporation pipeline and accumulated in the factory's basement. The gas ignited, causing a powerful explosion that not only destroyed the factory but also damaged an adjacent apartment building. The NTSB's investigation revealed that RM Palmer's emergency response training was insufficient, and better training could have potentially saved lives.
According to NBC Philadelphia, employees had reported smelling gas before the explosion, but the factory failed to evacuate. The NTSB criticized RM Palmer's emergency procedures, noting that the lack of a proper evacuation plan contributed to the severity of the accident. RM Palmer has since revised its evacuation policy, but NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stated it remains insufficient.
The NTSB also highlighted issues with UGI Corporation's handling of the gas lines. A corroded steam pipe and a defective gas fitting were identified as contributing factors to the explosion. UGI Corporation has been urged to improve its safety protocols and ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
As the community of West Reading remembers those lost in the explosion, the NTSB continues to push for improved safety measures to prevent such tragedies from happening again.