For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 23, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-841-9948
Email: john@jgpr.net

Fire Department Responds to Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant After Explosion

TAUNTON – Chief Timothy Bradshaw reports the Taunton Fire Department responded to the Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant today after a reported explosion.

Around 11:30 a.m., Taunton Fire received a report of a fire at the lighting plant.

Engine 1, Engine 3, Engine 5, along with Ladder 3 and the incident commander, responded to the scene and learned that a large circuit breaker, located in the mezzanine area, had exploded and caught fire.

Crews were met with heavy smoke, but quickly extinguished the small fire with dry chemical fire extinguishers and removed the unit from the building. During the incident, all employees were evacuated from the plant.

One person, who was in the vicinity at the time of explosion, was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries.

Damage was contained to the circuit breaker, which will need to be replaced. During cleanup, a Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant worker was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.

“This was a small fire that we were able to quickly attack and extinguish. I commend firefighters on scene for working efficiently and aggressively in an extremely hazardous building,” Chief Bradshaw said. “We’re thankful that this was a minor incident and that no one was seriously hurt.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Taunton Fire Department.

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