The fire and a resulting explosion in the plant's bag house apparently started when something went awry in the production process which makes pellets from a blend of hardwood and other wood species.

WMUR 9 quoted Fire Chief David Chamberlain as saying "Somehow, an ember was created, and that traveled downstream into a pellet cooler and further on through a back house system, and the real fine sawdust was ignited and caused an explosion."

No injuries were reported at the plant that employs 22 people and damage was declared minimal. Company officials expect to be up and running again next week.

WMUR 9 noted that the plant experienced a fire in 2008, after which it implemented engineered controls.

According to its website, New England Wood Pellet was founded in Acton, MA, in 1992 by Steve Walker. Walker moved the company to Jafffrey NH in 1995. In 2008 the company started a subsidiary, Propell Energy, to expand the market for pellet fuel through the sale, installation and service of commercial and institutional boilers. In 2006 the company built a research and development facility in Jaffrey NH. The company subsequently developed plants in Schuyler NY, in 2008 and Deposit, NY, in 2011.

The company sells its pellets through retailers and detailers throughout the Northeast United States.