6 hurt as battery erupts at raynham plant - solar street light lithium battery
RAYNHAM -
An explosion at a lithium battery factory here last night injured six people, several of whom were seriously injured.
According to Fire Captain James T, serious injuries include facial tears and bruisesJanuse.
Someone complained about chest pain.
Januse said five of the injured were taken to Morton Hospital in tautton and one to Brockton Hospital.
When a lithium battery exploded at about 7: 30 at the electrosolutions at the Paramount Drive 670 where the battery was made, the six were injured.
Januse said there were 130 people in the building at the time, but there were only seven or eight people in the room where the explosion occurred.
"It's very powerful," Januse said . ".
"It's like fireworks.
The explosion could be the result of manufacturing defects or battery contact with moisture, he said.
The incident is still under investigation.
According to Januse, the batteries are about the size of two flashlight batteries, "top of each other", about 4 inch long.
It will take a few days for officials to determine the exact cause of the explosion, he said.
There was no fire during the explosion, and Januse said it was safe for Electrochem employees to return to work today.
The Occupational Safety and Health Authority has been notified that the matter will be investigated, Januse said.