By: Laura Soukkavong
Taunton – At 9:50 am, emergency services were dispatched to the Plain Street area. After reports were made of an explosion and multiple burn injuries. When firefighters arrived, they encountered a three-family residence heavily involved in fire.
A 25-year-old mother and 2-year-old child were injured in the blast. The woman was transported by the Raynham Fire Department ambulance to Rhode Island Hospital with severe burns. The child was taken by Brewster Ambulance to Hasbro Children’s Hospital with serious injuries.
Eversource Utility crew responded to secure and shut off gas and electrical services to the affected properties.
Firefighters conducted an aggressive ground attack while ladder trucks operated overhead to contain the blaze. Officials confirmed that no firefighters were injured during the response. All on-duty Taunton Fire apparatus responded, along with off-duty personnel called to assist. The Raynham Fire Department provided mutual aid, sending an engine company and ambulance.
Fire Chief Steven P. Lavigne described the incident as serious but said the fire was brought under control despite challenging weather conditions.
The explosion and resulting fire remain under investigation by the Taunton Fire Department, Taunton Police Department, and State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Three-Family home is a complete loss. Eight residents have been displaced, and two neighboring homes sustained significant heat and burn damage. The City of Taunton has opened a temporary warming center at the Council on Aging/Center at Olney, located at 30 Olney St., for displaced residents or anyone needing shelter.