Franklin Explosion Injures One

The Franklin Fire Department was dispatched to reports of a possible explosion in the area of 471 Pond St at 4:20pm on Friday. According to Joseph Barbieri, Deputy Fire Chief, responding crews found that a contractor had been cutting a 55 gallon drum when an explosion occurred. One person was injured and transported to Rhode Island Hospital by Franklin Ambulance 1.

Preliminary information at the scene indicated that the drum contained acetone vapors contributing to the explosion. The Department was assisted on scene by the Franklin Police Department, Barbieri noted.

Events of this type turn out to be all too common. A similar incident at an industrial site on West Central Street approximately 20 years ago, left an individual with very serious burn injuries that were permanently debilitating.

A 2017 Milwaukee Journal article cites their investigation that found that nearly 60 people had been killed in such events in the prior several years.

A UK-based safety consultant notes: “Flammable liquids and vapours such as petrol, diesel, fuel oil, paints, solvents, glue, lacquer and cleaning agents are found in many places of work. If a welding torch or powered cutter is used on a tank or drum containing flammable material (solid, liquid or vapour), the tank or drum can explode violently. People have been killed or seriously injured by such explosions. Tanks and drums that seem to be ‘empty’ usually still have residues in the bottom, in seams and other crevices. Just a teaspoon of petrol in a drum can be enough to cause an explosion when heated and turned into vapour.”