Hazmat teams called to chemical leak at North Smithfield transfer station

An investigation is underway in North Smithfield where hazmat teams responded on Monday to a chemical leak. North Smithfield firefighters arrived to Link Environmental Transfer Station around 2 p.m. to find smoke coming from a chemical leak at the bottom of a trash pile. Firefighters were pulled back and the Woonsocket Regional Hazmat Team, North Providence decontamination unit and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's Hazardous Division were called to the scene. North Smithfield Fire Chief David Chartier said crews were working to identify and stabilize the chemical. He said the leak is contained inside of the transfer station and there is no threat to the public at this time. Crews will be going through the trash to find the source of the leak. No injuries were reported.
WJAR-TV NBC 10 Providence

Lightning strikes Burrillville communications tower

A storm that moved into northern Rhode Island Friday afternoon took out a communication tower in Harrisville, with firefighters cutting power to the emergency equipment following a lightening strike. Harrisville Fire Chief Michael Gingell told NRI NOW that lightening struck outside the tower, which is attached to the station on Callahan School Street, just after 4 p.m. on Friday, June 2. Sparks and smoke were detected in the station’s communication room and power to the facility was cut. “At that time, routine phone lines to the station were down as well as two way radio communication equipment,” Gingell said around 6 p.m. “Alternate systems were mobilized.” Gingell noted that 911 was operating for any emergency communication into the Harrisville Fire Station.
NRI Now News