UPDATE:
Authorities say two explosions and a fire at a cosmetics factory in Orange County left 30 to 35 people injured, including seven firefighters caught in the second blast. New Windsor police say the first explosion occurred around 10:15 a.m. Monday at the Verla International cosmetics factory. Firefighters who responded were inside when the second explosion occurred around 10:40 a.m. New Windsor Town Supervisor George Green said up to 35 people were being treated for injuries, including seven firefighters, most of them from the nearby city of Newburgh. He said two of the firefighters were taken to the burn unit at Westchester Medical Center. Officials said none of the injuries appear to be life threatening, officials said. Green said one employee remains unaccounted for. Crews battled the blaze into late Monday afternoon. State emergency response teams had been dispatched.
Authorities say two explosions and a fire at a cosmetics factory in Orange County have left 20 people injured, including five firefighters caught in the second blast.
New Windsor police say the first explosion occurred around 10:15 Monday morning at the Verla International cosmetics factory. Police say firefighters were inside when the second explosion occurred. Police say 15 of the injured are company employees. All injured firefighters are from the nearby city of Newburgh. Officials say none of the injuries appears to be life threatening. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, who was holding a press conference in New Windsor on PFOS water contamination, offered comments.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to everybody, our first responders, those who worked at the factory who were injured and the entire factory itself,” Schumer said.
There is no word yet on a cause.
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