Bostik Employees Return to Work at Middleton Plant

Bostik Inc. employees began returning to work at the Middleton adhesives plant Thursday, while cleanup efforts continue after the March 13 explosion and fire, the company announced.

Some employees returned to the site several days ago, as cleanup efforts began Saturday, the company said in a statement Thursday. All employees have been advised to report for work Monday, the company said.

Cleanup efforts are ongoing, with an immediate focus on restoring steam, electricity, gas and information technology capabilities, the company said. Some of those services have been restored in the past 24 hours.

Workers also are assessing the condition of the plant's equipment, raw materials and finished goods.

"I must stress this does not mean we will be back up and running next week," said Rich D’Autilio, Bostik Middleton’s site executive. "We now have access only to approximately 50 percent of our total space. There is a tremendous amount of work ahead of us until this plant is back where it needs to be."

The cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation. State and local authorities have ruled out any criminal act. 

Crews from across the North Shore responded to the March 13 incident, which shook buildings across the area. Peabody firefighters and Peabody Police officers provided mutual aid on the scene.

Officials with the state and the company have said there are no environmental impacts as a result of the explosion. Last week, the company established a hotline for area residents to report any potential property damage as a result of the blast.