At least five people have been killed and a further six more are missing after a chocolate factory explosion in Pennsylvania.
The violent blast occurred at the RM Palmer Company in Berks County, West Reading at around 5:00PM local time on Friday (March 24), multiple outlets have reported.
Eight people have been hospitalized following the devastating incident, which has claimed five lives and left six others missing.
The West Reading hospital treating the eight patients has since revealed that one patient was transferred, two were in fair condition, and five others were released, according to the New York Post.
WPVI-TV Philadelphia detailed that the cause of the blast remains under investigation, although officials have questioned whether it could have been the result of a gas leak.
Footage of the massive explosion has made its way to social media, with FOX29 Philadelphia journalist Eddie Kadhim tweeting: "Our weather cameras caught the explosion. Almost at the scene to learn more from police. RMPalmer is a big chocolate candy maker, and makes a lot of Easter candy."
Images and videos chronicling the aftermath of the explosion have painted a devastating picture - showing the factory building having been blown to pieces, with debris scattered across the street.
"Just got on scene. Smoke is billowing out. This is a huge scene with first responders everywhere," Kadhim captioned a short clip in a later tweet.
"It's pretty leveled, unfortunately, there's not too much to be able to salvage from it," Mayor and local firefighter Samantha Kaag told WPVI. "In the front, with the church and the apartments, the explosion was so big that it moved that building four feet forward."
Local resident Kristen Wisniewski also spoke to the outlet, describing the shocking incident. "It was the loudest thing I've ever heard in my life," she said. "It literally felt like the ground fell out from underneath you. The whole house shook and my dogs froze, they couldn't move, it was scary."
"I didn't know, I just come running out and saw that mess over there. I think it was a gas explosion the way it sounded," another local said. "It was very scary, the building filled with smoke from just the explosion."
The RM Palmer Company has been headquartered in West Reading since its foundation in 1948. It has grown to become one of the US' largest confectioners, employing almost 1,000 people. It specializes in novelty holiday candy, such as Easter bunnies and Trick 'r Treat goodies.
Our thoughts go out to all those affected by this tragedy.