Pa. regulators seek penalties following deadly 2023 chocolate factory explosion in West Reading

WEST READING, Pa. (WPVI) -- The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has filed a complaint against gas distributor UGI.

It's in connection with the deadly chocolate factory explosion in West Reading, Berks County in March of 2023.

The PUC is seeking $2.6 million in penalties for alleged safety violations.

Seven workers were killed and ten others injured in the explosion at the R.M. Palmer Company.

Investigators say a natural gas leak from an old pipeline connection allowed gas to build up inside the building, where it was ignited by an unknown source.