Industrial explosion sends 13 people to the hospital in East Providence

Local News

It remains unclear what caused the explosion at the Aspen Aerogels-run industrial plant.

Emergency personnel respond to an explosion at the Aspen Aerogels facility in East Providence on Wednesday night. WJAR via The Boston Globe

An explosion at an East Providence industrial plant sent 13 people to the hospital Wednesday evening, prompting a massive emergency response.

First responders were called to the Aspen Aerogels facility at 3 Dexter Road at 8:14 p.m. for reports of an explosion and fire inside, Providence’s police and fire chiefs said in a press release.

Officials declared it a mass casualty incident, triggering a regional mutual aid response and alerting nearby hospitals.

Crews diverted traffic from Dexter Road as they worked the scene.

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

Aspen Aerogels did not immediately respond to a request for more information.

The company makes high-tech insulation materials that help keep buildings, factories, and electric vehicle batteries safer and more energy-efficient, according to its website.

In the past year, Aspen Aerogels has been struggling as it dealt with significant reductions in customer demand following regulatory changes and the decrease in incentive programs for sustainable solutions.

In its first-quarter results, announced on Feb. 25, the company reported revenue of $271.1 million for 2025, down nearly $200 million from 2024.

Beth Treffeisen is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on local news, crime, and business in the New England region.

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