Four go to hospital after Wollaston Alloys explosion

By Tom Gorman and Robert Aicardi

Braintree - Shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 12, four people were taken to the hospital (two for smoke inhalation, one with chest pains, and one with an injured back) after an explosion at Wollaston Alloys Inc. on 205 Wood Rd. The cause of the explosion has not been determined yet, police said.

The explosion, which occurred in the southwest corner of the building, caused a small fire that was quickly contained by Braintree and Quincy firefighters. After the explosion, smoke could be seen coming from the roof.  Approximately 75 employees of Wollaston Alloys, which makes high technology castings, were gathered outside the building covered in black soot. Many of them were treated for minor cuts and bruises and smoke inhalation. The windows of the building were blown out, and the scene was littered with glass. National Grid turned off the gas so there would be no further explosions. The area was blocked off, and traffic was rerouted through the Holiday Inn. The Salvation Army arrived to provide assistance and serve coffee to employees.

Linda Cusick Woodman, the founder and chairman of the Wood Road Association of Braintree, works for R. J. Valentine, an abutter to Wollaston Alloys. “When we heard the noise, we thought there had been an earthquake,” she said. “You could feel it right down to your feet. When we went outside, we could see the smoke coming from the building.” Woodman was impressed by the swift response of firefighters.

“No sooner did we hear the explosion than we could hear the sound of the fire trucks,” she said. “It was incredible. The firefighters were on top of their game.”Firefighters later battled flames that reignited on the roof.