Bomb Squad Detonates Hazardous Chemicals From Site of Dow Lab Explosion

Photo Credit: 7News/whdh.com

NORTH ANDOVER, MA - A Massachusetts bomb squad detonated a container of hazardous materials on Friday that had been removed from the site of a massive chemical explosion on Thursday at Dow, 60 Willow St., according to state fire officials.

Five people were injured in the explosion, four critically. Four of the five were hospitalized, and the fifth person was treated at the scene.

State fire officials have since turned over the investigation into the explosion, to local fire officials and state police fire investigators.

Massachusetts Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and North Andover Fire Chief Andrew Melnikas, along with the joint Hazardous Incident Response Team, comprised of specially cross-trained hazardous material and state police bomb squad technicians, made multiple entries on Friday into the lab at Dow Chemical.

The chemicals were detonated in a remote location.

The state police fire investigators, the state’s Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance officers, and the Federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration representatives, will now have access to the lab where the explosion occurred..

Once the forensic scene examination of the lab and documents is complete, the investigation will likely continue for some time, according to state fire officials.

Fire Chief Melnikas assembled a team of local inspectors to determine the safety and stability of the building.

>>>UPDATED: Chemical Explosion Investigation at Dow Industrial Plant<<<

A Dow spokesperson issued a statement on Friday afternoon:

“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the local and state emergency services. Their hard work and dedication led to successfully securing and removing the materials off-site for safe disposal. The State Fire Marshall has returned control of the site back to the Company and the proper investigations will proceed with our full cooperation and participation. The cause of the incident is not known at this time. We remain in close contact with the families of the impacted workers, and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with them.”

The North Andover plant is located about 25 miles north of Boston.

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