BURRILLVILLE, RI — August 27 — The Pascoag Fire Department was one of the first emergency agencies to arrive at a hazardous materials and mass casualty incident at the Charcuterie Artisans facility on Charcuterie Drive.The East Burrillville Fire Department also assisted at the scene as the situation developed.

As reported by WPRI, firefighters were called just before 9 a.m.

after employees mixed chemicals and drained them into a sewer system, leading to a chemical reaction and release of harmful fumes.The facility was evacuated, and specialized equipment was requested.Five employees were taken to local hospitals for medical evaluation, while six others were assessed by first responders on-site.Authorities stated that the specific chemicals involved had not yet been identified.

Pascoag Fire Department sent Engine 44 and Rescue 4.

Mutual-aid support included Harrisville Rescue 2 and Ladder 2, Harmony Rescue and Tanker, West Glocester Rescue, Douglas Rescue, Smithfield Rescue, Cumberland Paramedic Unit 2, Lincoln Rescue 2, Engine 8 and Ladder 5, Foster Rescue 1, North Scituate Rescue, North Providence Rescue, Millville Tanker, North Smithfield Tanker, East Putnam Engine, Woonsocket HazMat Team, East Providence HazMat Decontamination Team, and Providence Canteen.

The response included patient care and transport, hazardous materials handling, decontamination efforts, water supply support, and other operational assistance.

The building was deemed safe for re-entry just before 2 p.m.

This incident highlighted the importance of early resource requests and pre-established mutual-aid agreements during complicated hazardous materials operations.