Probe starts into Mass. chemical plant blast

MIDDLETON, Mass. (AP) — Investigators who will try to determine the cause of a chemical plant explosion that shook a Massachusetts neighborhood and sent four people to the hospital were waiting for clearance from structural engineers to get into the building.

The state fire marshal’s office, other state agencies, local authorities and federal agencies will look into the Sunday night blast and fire at Bostik Inc., which makes adhesives and sealants, Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said today.

There was no word on a cause, but the explosion and four-alarm fire in Middleton are not considered suspicious at this point, he said.