NEWBURYPORT — Roughly eight hours after firefighters responded to a minor explosion Monday morning at Mark Richey Woodworking, they were called back to the Parker Street business to extinguish smoldering sawdust that arose after the first incident, according to Newburyport Fire Chief Stephen Bradbury III.
The sawdust, which is used to heat the company’s boiler, is stored in a silo connected to the building.
On Monday around 9 a.m. firefighters were called to the scene after a small explosion occurred inside a boiler used to heat the shop floor. The explosion in the sawdust-burning boiler blew the door off a hopper that feeds the boiler and is connected to the silo, according to Bradbury.
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 furnace and hopper with no visible extension to the silo. There was no significant damage, according to fire officials.
There were no injuries and employees were able to return after an hour. Damage was minimal. Approximately 100 employees were evacuated prior to the arrival of firefighters.
At around 5 p.m. that day, firefighters returned to the company after receiving word of smoke coming from the same heating system.
“Smoldering sawdust related to yesterday morning,” Bradbury said, in a statement, Tuesday morning.
Despite the two incidents, the company was open for business, according to Bradbury, who said they are using gas heat to warm the complex.
The original incident was caused by an excessive buildup of heat in a wood-fired furnace, according to a Newburyport Fire Department post on Facebook.
Engine 5, engine 1 and ladder 1 from Newburyport and a Salisbury Fire Department engine responded to the initial call. Additional mutual was provided by the Newbury and Amesbury Fire Departments and an Atlantic Ambulance crew. Station coverage was provided by West Newbury and Amesbury firefighters.
The woodworking facility is located in the same building as RiverWalk Brewing Company near the Newburyport Crossing apartment complex and the MBTA commuter rail station.