Warren explosion sends five to the hospital

By: News Staff

 news@abc6.com

WARREN, R.I. — Five people are in the hospital after an explosion inside a factory in Warren Wednesday afternoon.

An oven used to make exercise equipment blew up and the explosion could be heard all over town.

More than 200 employees at the Water Rower Factory on Metacom Avenue in Warren rushed from the building just before noon after hearing a huge explosion inside.

“On my way here I knew something was wrong, because my phone wouldn’t stop ringing and multiple people saying something is wrong,” said Chief Al Galinelli; Warren Fire Department.

Warren’s fire chief says an employee working on a gas oven used to make water rowing machines back fired.

Five people were hurt. One with facial and arm injury, the second one with chest pain, the third and fourth victims were injured due to the fact we believe when they were leaving the building they got hurt, and the fifth victim was complaining of an ear injury.

Fire crews, OSHA, and National Grid were all on scene making sure the building was safe enough for employees to go back inside.

“The employees will be okay, which I’m thankful,” said Milko Ugarte; employee.

Chief Galinelli says, overall, the situation could have been a lot worse and many more people could have been hurt.

All of the victims were taken to Rhode Island Hospital.

Their names are not being released at this time.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016