Mill Fire, Woonsocket, RI

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WOONSOCKET, R.I. (AP) - A large fire Thursday engulfed two mill
buildings and forced the evacuation of a street in Woonsocket.
Mayor Susan Menard said there were no reports of injuries from
the fire, which began in the ACS Industries building at the complex
and appeared to be caused by an unspecified electrical problem.
The 50 to 60 employees working at ACS evacuated safely,
according to the mayor.
Menard said the flames spread to a nearby building that formerly
housed Florence Dye. Residents of a street that abuts the buildings
were evacuated, she said.
Paula Rezendes, who lives around the corner from the fire, said
she returned home and found she couldn't reach her house.
"I have no idea what condition my house is in ... We can't get
up the street. I don't know where we're staying for the night,"
she said.
About 3,500 people were without electricity due to the fire,
Menard said.
The city called the state Department of Environmental Management
to the site but does not believe the thick, black smoke rising from
the fire is hazardous, she said. The city has an inventory of the
chemicals stored on site, and none are toxic, according to Menard.
Several streets near the fire site have been closed, and many
traffic signals are out.
Woonsocket police have arrested at least one person for
disorderly conduct and were trying to disperse the crowd gathered
to watch the flames.
ACS Industries' Woonsocket-based divisions manufacture wire and
mesh products, household and institutional scouring products, and
wire dies, according to the company's web site.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Additional Info

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (AP) - A fire sparked by a downed electrical
wire consumed five buildings at an industrial complex and forced
some families to flee their homes.
Firefighters from eight communities in Rhode Island and
Massachusetts were working throughout the night Thursday to contain
the fire, which covered two acres. At least two firefighters were
taken to the hospital to be treated for dehydration. No major
injuries were reported.
The estimated 50 to 60 employees working in the ACS Industries
building, where the fire began at about 6 p.m. Thursday, evacuated
safely. State Fire Marshal Irving J. Owens said the building had a
working sprinkler system which helped them get out unharmed.
State and local officials said they expect firefighters will be
working to extinguish the blaze throughout the day Friday. The fire
was under control just before midnight Thursday.
Helping fuel the flames were 25,000 to 27,000 gallons of fuel
oil in a tank in one of the buildings, according to Woonsocket Fire
Chief Henry Renaud. One of the burning buildings also contained
25,000 to 50,000 pounds of cotton that was feeding the fire.
About two dozen families were evacuated from a street adjacent
to the buildings, and others were told they could choose to leave.
Renaud said it appears the fire started when a transformer
exploded, sending a power line into a fence adjacent to the mill
complex.
The electrified fence ignited the ACS Industries building in at
least two places, he said. Narragansett Electric spokeswoman Amy
Atwood said the company will investigate the fire.
The blaze spread to buildings housing Florence Dye and a Nextel
phone dealer.
Embers from the fire landed on the roof of an apartment building
a quarter mile away, but caused only minor damage, Renaud said.
Another house closer to mill complex also was hit by embers.
Paula Rezendes, who lives around the corner from the fire, said
she returned home Thursday evening and found she couldn't reach her
house.
"I have no idea what condition my house is in ... We can't get
up the street. I don't know where we're staying for the night,"
she said.
Temporary housing at area motels was being arranged Thursday
night for those evacuated.
The state Department of Environmental Management reported to the
scene Thursday, but officials said they don't believe the chemicals
stored in the mill buildings were producing toxic smoke.
There were small explosions in the buildings due to the bursting
of tanks containing chemicals and oil, Renaud said.
Dark smoke from the fire was visible miles from the blaze, and
the flames were so hot at times that firefighters had to move their
trucks back from the site.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)