1976 - Blast Destroys Aerosol Plant

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (AP) - "When I got to the window, there was no wall left. It just blew me right through," said Norman Brule.

Brule was one of at least 27 persons working in the Peterson-Puritan Aerosol spray plant when an explosion ripped through the building Saturday, tossing chunks of cement 20 feet from the one-story building.

Twenty workers were injured, seven critically, authorities said.

Much of the interior of the building was demolished and two outside walls were knocked flat. Twelve persons were initially trapped under debris but had been evacuated by within 90 minutes of the blast.