Fire at Woonsocket business leaves one firefighter injured

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — A firefighter was hurt while responding to a heavy fire at a Woonsocket business on Tuesday morning.

“We got a call at about quarter to 7 this morning for a fire at Flock Tex, the manufacturing facility right here,” said Bob Cahill, Woonsocket fire chief.

A fire sparked inside the felt-making facility on Founders Drive around 6:30 a.m.

Woonsocket firefighters gather around a firefighter who needed medical attention after battling a fire at Flock Tex Inc on Tuesday morning. (WLNE)

All employees got out safely. One firefighter was taken out on a stretcher.

“No civilian injuries, but we did have one firefighter went down, and I don’t know the extent of his injuries. We did take him to the local facility to get him checked out,” Cahill said.

While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, the chief alluded to a possible reason, saying, “There is heavy damage to their equipment. They have drying kilns in there that dry the felt and there is heavy damage in that area.”