Pennsylvania regulators seek $2.6 million in penalties for deadly 2023 chocolate factory explosion

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania regulators asked an administrative law judge on Wednesday to make a gas utility pay $2.6 million in civil penalties for a chocolate factory explosion three years ago that killed seven workers and sent flames shooting into the air.

The Public Utility Commission filed a formal complaint against the UGI Utilities Inc. gas division, alleging the company’s distribution facilities serving the R.M. Palmer Company in West Reading violated state and federal standards and regulations.