Business & Tech
Newburyport Explosions Were Result of Chemical Reaction
No one was injured during the explosions Thursday morning at PCI Synthesis.
![No one was injured in the explosions at PCI Synthesis in Newburyport.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22874714/20200214/013337/styles/patch_image/public/guilfoilnewburyport___14133225987.png)
NEWBURYPORT, MA — A chemical reaction caused the explosions at a North Shore chemical processing facility early Thursday morning, state and local officials said Friday.
The explosions blew a hole through the rood of PCI Synthesis in Newburyport. They were caused by a sampling procedure from a large vat, according to State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Newburyport Deputy Fire Chief Steven Bradbury.
Firefighters responded to the building shortly before 4:30 a.m. when the sprinkler system went off. The plant runs 24 hours a day.
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