An explosion at Aspen Aerogels in East Providence, Rhode Island, left many injured on Wednesday. The East Providence Fire Department and Emergency Management Agency reported an active Multiple Casualty Incident and Structure Fire at the chemical plant.
A 'mass casualty incident' is described as a sudden surge in patients that overwhelm medical resources. The cause of the blast remains unknown, but several people reported hearing a 'loud boom.'
Scary visuals of the fire and emergency response have emerged on social media, with one person writing 'Bad explosion if you live in Rumford get your pets in close the windows the chemicals are bad bad you don't wanna breathe that stuff in.'
The East Providence Emergency Management Agency continues to monitor the air quality around Dexter Road & Massasoit Avenue for any chemical hazards, advising residents to avoid the area and keep windows closed.
