UPDATED: 2 Men Injured in Electrical Explosion at Framingham Library

Two men were injured in an “electrical explosion” in the basement of the main Framingham Library just about 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Framingham Patch first published a breaking news alert this morning at 7;50 a.m.

One man, 30, suffered second and third degree burns over 36 percent of his body, said Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Burns. He was taken by ambulance to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.

A second man, 39, suffered second degree burns on one arm. He was treated and released from MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, said Deputy Chief Burns.

The Framingham Library on Lexington Street did not open on Saturday morning. A scheduled book sale was cancelled.

Town Manager Bob Halpin said the main Framingham Library would be closed all weekend and likely Monday, until repairs can be made. He said he will know more Monday, when the library can re-open.

Both men injured were not town employees but contractors from Ameresco, who is doing working at the library to make it more energy efficient, said Halpin.

The two men were working with the electrical switch gear at the library when it ”exploded and flashed,” said Deputy Chief Burns.

One of the two men called 9-1-1 to report the incident, said Burns.

“It was a high energy, short duration fire,” said Deputy Chief Burns.

One of the two men’s clothing caught on fire and he has burns on both arms and his upper body.

Burns said there was little fire beyond that initial flash.

There was ”significant” damage to the electrical switch, said Burns, which is what forced the library to close today and the rest of the weekend.

The sprinkler system did not go on, and damage to the library was contained to the basement, where the work was being done. There was some smoke throughout the building.

Framingham Fire was on the scene taking care of the incident for about 60 to 90 minutes, and then at the library until after 12 noon investigating the cause. The state fire marshal was also called to the scene to investigate.

There is no cause at the moment, said Deputy Chief Burns, “and it remains under investigation.”

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originally posted at 3:30 p.m. and updated at 6:30 p.m.