Newburyport Fire and mutual aid partners extend a ladder to check the smoke on the top of a silo after an explosion in a saw-dust furnace of an industrial building. (Photo courtesy Newburyport Fire) 
Firefighters on scene at 40 Parker St. check the temperature of the silo, which is attached to the sawdust burning furnace. (Photo Courtesy Newburyport Fire) 
Newburyport Fire and mutual aid partners responded to 40 Parker St. for reports of an explosion. (Photo Courtesy Newburyport Fire)
NEWBURYPORT — Chief Stephen H. Bradbury reports that the Newburyport Fire Department responded to an industrial building for reports of an explosion.
On Monday, March 3, at approximately 8:51 a.m., Newburyport Fire was dispatched to Mark Richey Woodworking, 40 Parker St., for reports of an explosion in the sawdust-burning furnace.
Upon arrival, firefighters observed light smoke coming from the top of the silo. Crews entered the building and saw visible fire along the floor of the furnace.
Crews began to extinguish the flames and monitored the furnace to ensure there were no hot spots and that no sawdust was continuing to smolder. The fire was contained to the the furnace and hopper with no visable extension to the silo. There was no significant damage.
There were no reported injuries. Approximately 100 employees were evacuated prior to the arrival of firefighters.
Mutual aid was provided by the Salisbury, Newbury, and Amesbury Fire Departments and Atlantic Ambulance. Station coverage was provided by West Newbury and Amesbury Fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Newburyport Fire.
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