NEWBURYPORT — On Friday, June 13, at approximately 9:52 a.m., the Newburyport Fire Department responded to the Dunkin Donuts located at 167 State Street, following reports of a possible explosion.
According to a statement from Fire Chief Stephen Bradbury III, when crews arrived on scene, they observed two workers who appeared to be suffering from significant burns. The workers were transported to an area hospital by Cataldo Ambulance for medical treatment.
A preliminary investigation indicated that the workers were repairing a rooftop refrigerant compressor system when an arc ignited the Freon, resulting in a flash fire.
“The fire shot upward, burning one of the workers in the face and burning the other worker’s legs,” Chief Bradbury said. “It was also determined that there was no explosion.”
Chief Bradbury added that the fire had burned out prior to the arrival of first responders. There was no damage to the building.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Newburyport Fire Department and the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
