The Assistant Chief called for a second alarm immediately after the
explosion. Fire Chief Joseph Daniele, who had been monitoring the radio
traffic at home, responded to the scene and requested a third alarm shortly
after his arrival. The regional hazardous materials response team, which
includes members from several suburban Boston fire departments, also responded. All fire fighting operations were suspended until an assessment
of the hazards and the risk of additional explosions could be made.
The sodium burned itself out within an hour and only a very small
amount of residual fire was left for extinguishment. The fire was contained
to the drum cleaning enclosure and smoke damage to the rest of the
building was minor.
Massachusetts State Fire Marshal, F. James Kauffman, who was also
monitoring the radio traffic, also responded to the scene and activated a
major response of investigators from his division of the Department of
Public Safety to assist the Newton Fire Department.
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