NEWBURYPORT, Mass. — A saw dust explosion occurred Monday morning, March 3, just before 9 a.m., at Mark Richey Woodworking, an award-winning woodworking company based in Newburyport, Massachusetts. 

Chief Stephen H. Bradbury said that the Newburyport Fire Department responded to an industrial building for reports of an explosion. The explosion happened in a sawdust-burning furnace, the report said.

In its description of the event, the department said that upon arrival firefighters observed light smoke coming from the top of the silo. Crews entered the building and saw visible fire along the floor of the furnace. Crews began to extinguish the flames and monitored the furnace to ensure there were no hot spots and that no sawdust was continuing to smolder. The fire was contained to the furnace and hopper with no visable extension to the silo. There was no significant damage.

There were no reported injuries. Approximately 100 employees were evacuated prior to the arrival of firefighters.

Additional aid was provided by the Salisbury, Newbury, and Amesbury Fire Departments and Atlantic Ambulance. Station coverage was provided by West Newbury and Amesbury Fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Newburyport Fire.

The woodworking company has won numerous awards over the years. These awards ranged from leadership honors, environmental and business awards, and design and project laurels. Mark Richey Woodworking is also the parent company of WallGoldfinger Furniture.

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