Thirteen employees were injured in a fire and an apparent explosion at an industrial plant in East Providence on Wednesday night, city and public safety officials said.
There were no reports of “major injuries,” Mayor Bob DaSilva and police and fire officials said in a joint statement late Wednesday night.
The employees were taken to area hospitals “as a precaution and for medical evaluation,” DaSilva said in a separate statement on Facebook.
But a mass casualty incident was declared for the explosion that reported at 8:14 p.m. at the Aspen Aerogels facility located at 3 Dexter Road, according to the statement.
According to the company’s website, Aspen Aerogels develops technology for electric vehicles and energy infrastructure.
The company could not immediately be reached by phone or email.
Officials did not say what caused the fire or explosion. An investigation is ongoing. DaSilva told the Globe Thursday morning the city’s building official would be on site “examining the physical safety of the structure.”
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He said the explosion damaged manufacturing equipment inside the facility.
East Providence police, fire and emergency service crews responded to the scene, along with the state fire marshal’s office.
Mutual aid services is being provided by fire crews from Central Falls, Cranston, Lincoln, Pawtucket, Providence, Smithfield and Seekonk, Mass., the statement said.
All traffic is being diverted away from the area of the explosion and motorists are urged to avoid the area, city officials said.
East Providence fire officials could not immediately be reached for further comment by the Globe.
A serious fire was also reported at the company in January, WJAR in Providence reported.
This breaking news story will be updated if more information becomes available.
This story has been updated with comments from Bob DaSilva.
Camille Bugayong can be reached at [email protected]. Steph Machado can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @StephMachado.
