Explosions reported at Massachusetts chemical plant

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. (AP) – A hazardous materials team has responded to a pharmaceutical chemical plant in Massachusetts after firefighters reported hearing several explosions in the building.

Authorities say firefighters responding to a fire alarm at the PCI Synthesis building in Newburyport at about 4:30 a.m. Thursday heard three explosions.

They then evacuated the building. Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Bradbury says there were three more explosions about 15 minutes later, including one that blew an 8-foot-wide hole in the roof.

The cause of the explosions remains under investigation.

There were workers in the building at the time but no reports of injuries.