Home Industries Explosion at Aspen Aerogels: ‘It’s a miracle nobody was killed’

Explosion at Aspen Aerogels: ‘It’s a miracle nobody was killed’

Updated at 5:06 p.m.

By

Matthew McNulty

-

04/09/2026

aspen aerogel explosion — FIRST RESPONDERS at the scene of an explosion and fire at Aspen Aerogels Inc.’s East Providence facility Wednesday night, where 11 employees were injured. / COURTESY OF CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

EAST PROVIDENCE – Aspen Aerogels Inc.’s manufacturing plant will remain closed until investigators can ensure it is safe to resume operations after an explosion tore through the facility Wednesday night, injuring 11. Emergency crews arrived at the Dexter Road plant around 8:14 p.m., East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva posted on Facebook Wednesday. All 11 injured

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EAST PROVIDENCE – Aspen Aerogels Inc.’s manufacturing plant will remain closed until investigators can ensure it is safe to resume operations after an explosion tore through the facility Wednesday night, injuring 11.

Emergency crews arrived at the Dexter Road plant around 8:14 p.m., East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva posted on Facebook Wednesday.

All 11 injured were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and released early this morning, according to the East Providence Fire Department.

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation by local officials and the R.I. State Fire Marshal’s Office.

At a press conference Thursday, DaSilva said the force of the blast sent debris across the facility and blew out portions of the building, with nearby residents reporting they could hear and feel the explosion.

“It’s a miracle nobody was killed or seriously injured,” DaSilva said.

He said the source of the explosion appeared to be a large piece of equipment that "does drying of fabrics … insulation blankets they create. That [equipment]" blew up." City officials said gas service to the building has been shut off while engineers and inspectors determine whether the building and its safety systems are fully secure, officials said. Michael Carey, East Providence fire chief, said he was unsure the last time the plant was inspected. He said the department tries to do inspections annually but was unsure when that was last done at Aspen's facility.

Aspen said the site has been secured and the situation is under control, and that it is working with local authorities to investigate the cause of the explosion and assess the extent of the damage.

“The well-being of our colleagues is our top priority,” the company said.

The company, based in Northborough, Mass., designs, develops and manufactures aerogel insulation and has a 140,000‑square-foot manufacturing facility in East Providence.

(RECASTS lede, updates throughout.)

Matthew McNulty is a PBN staff writer. He can be reached at McNulty@PBN.com or on X at @MattMcNultyNYC.