Woman Survives Deadly Factory Explosion by Falling into Liquid Chocolate

During a horrific factory explosion in West Reading, Pennsylvania, factory worker Patricia Borges survived only because she fell into a vat of liquid chocolate. Borges revealed her unbelievable story in an interview with The Associated Press.

A massive explosion occurred at the R.M. Palmer Co. chocolate factory on March 24, causing a huge fire in the building. Borges was inside the building during the explosion and claims her arm caught on fire. She reported that after catching fire, she fell through the floor beneath her and landed in a gooey vat of chocolate. Borges, who is receiving care for broken heels, burns, and a broken collarbone, says that her sugary fall extinguished her flames.

Patricia Borges’ Horrific Ordeal

According to Borges, many factory workers reported a strong stench that appeared to be gas, but the complaints essentially went unheard. When the explosion first took place, Borges was up on a ladder. When she hopped off the ladder, the 4 foot 10 inches tall woman fell into the vat of chocolate. Borges was submerged from the chest up in the sweet liquid and screamed for nine hours inside the vat until she was rescued. Seven bodies were found at the scene.

Borges spoke to The Associated Press from her hospital bed, saying, “When I began to burn, I thought it was the end for me. I asked God why he was giving me such a horrible death. I asked him to save me, that I didn’t want to die in the fire.” Borges later spoke about how she wants justice for the unfortunate ordeal, saying, “I wanted to speak so that this will be prevented in the future. For my colleague Judy, I want there to be justice.”

West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag made a statement regarding the incident on Twitter, partly stating, “Tonight, we were able to announce that all seven presumptive missing have been found. Please understand that this is still a devastating loss but we are truly grateful to bring closure to the families involved in the upcoming days.”

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