WAUWATOSA, WI - Adhesives manufacturer Bostik Inc. reported a fire at the company’s Middleton, MA, adhesives manufacturing plant on Sunday, March 13. The incident included an explosion and a fire. Emergency personnel were immediately on the scene, and the fire was extinguished in less than one hour. A complete investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident. Bostik officials are on site and fully cooperating with local authorities to facilitate this investigation. Bostik Inc. has made all required notifications of the incident.

All employees in the facility were immediately accounted for. Four Bostik employees sustained injuries and were conveyed to a local hospital for treatment and observation. All four have since been released.

Local Hazmat personnel were quickly dispatched to the scene and did not detect any contamination of the Ipswich River.

Air-quality sampling and monitoring processes were immediately deployed, and they indicated there were no imminent air-quality concerns. No evacuation of residents in the area was required nor is any future evacuation action anticipated. Monitoring of both the Ipswich River and air quality around the plant is ongoing, as a precautionary measure.

Bostik will continue to provide information as it becomes available to local officials, employees and customers. Bostik Inc. is headquartered in Wauwatosa, WI, and is part of Bostik S. A., based in France.