RI manufacturing plant explosion leaves 13 people hurt
Authorities said 13 people were hospitalized Wednesday evening in an explosion and fire at a manufacturing plant in East Providence, Rhode Island.
Police and fire crews responded around 8:15 p.m. to Aspen Aerogels on Dexter Road. As of around 10:15 p.m., 13 people had been brought by ambulance to a nearby hospital, but officials say none of the injuries are considered to be major.
“A mass casualty incident has been declared, which activates mutual aid services from throughout the region and puts hospitals on notice in the region,” East Providence police and fire officials said in a press release. The designation is often used if a situation poses a risk that the number of patients could overwhelm regular emergency medical services.
People were asked to avoid the area. Traffic is being diverted from Dexter Road.
Fire crews from Central Falls, Cranston, Lincoln, Pawtucket, Providence and Smithfield in Rhode Island, and from Seekonk, Massachusetts, provided mutual aid.
No further information was immediately available.
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