Five people were injured Thursday in an explosion at a chemical plant in North Andover.Watch the reportCrews were called to DOW Chemical at 60 Willow St. shortly after 2:30 p.m. after getting reports of the powerful explosion that injured several workers inside, three critically.Of the five victims, one was treated at the scene and not seriously injured. Three others were critically injured and were taken to Boston hospitals on medical helicopters.Their injuries were described as burns and shrapnel wounds."What the patients had were blast injuries from the pressure of the explosion, and the chemical on their bodies as well as burns," Dr. George Kondylis of Lawrence General Hospital said.The explosion was so powerful that neighbors blocks away felt it."We heard a very loud boom and the house shook," Kaela Henessey said.North Andover Town Manager Andrew Maylor said the incident happened quickly and there was no danger to the surrounding area.The North Andover plant develops materials used in manufacturing LED lights for Dow Chemical.Investigators said the workers were handling the chemical trimethyl aluminum, and it appeared it came into contact with water or air, which produced the powerful explosion inside the plant.In October 2013, an accidental explosion at the plant claimed the life of a Peabody man. Carlos Amaral, 51, died one day after he was caught in a fiery explosion in a laboratory.Investigators said they believe the explosion was an accident and don't believe it was criminal in nature.

Five people were injured Thursday in an explosion at a chemical plant in North Andover.

Watch the report

Advertisement Related Content Dow Chemical scene of explosion two years ago

Crews were called to DOW Chemical at 60 Willow St. shortly after 2:30 p.m. after getting reports of the powerful explosion that injured several workers inside, three critically.

Of the five victims, one was treated at the scene and not seriously injured. Three others were critically injured and were taken to Boston hospitals on medical helicopters.

Their injuries were described as burns and shrapnel wounds.

"What the patients had were blast injuries from the pressure of the explosion, and the chemical on their bodies as well as burns," Dr. George Kondylis of Lawrence General Hospital said.

The explosion was so powerful that neighbors blocks away felt it.

"We heard a very loud boom and the house shook," Kaela Henessey said.

North Andover Town Manager Andrew Maylor said the incident happened quickly and there was no danger to the surrounding area.



The North Andover plant develops materials used in manufacturing LED lights for Dow Chemical.

Investigators said the workers were handling the chemical trimethyl aluminum, and it appeared it came into contact with water or air, which produced the powerful explosion inside the plant.

In October 2013, an accidental explosion at the plant claimed the life of a Peabody man. Carlos Amaral, 51, died one day after he was caught in a fiery explosion in a laboratory.

Investigators said they believe the explosion was an accident and don't believe it was criminal in nature.