TAUNTON, MA — Firefighters arriving at the scene of a thunderous house explosion on Plain Street Wednesday found themselves fighting more than just an “inferno.” They were battling a landscape buried under nearly three feet of snow, which turned a standard emergency into a logistical nightmare.

The Explosion and Injuries
The blast occurred at approximately 9:50 a.m. at 78 Plain Street in the Weir Village section of the city. The explosion was so powerful it shook homes blocks away, knocking items off shelves and reducing the three-family residence to a pile of burning rubble.

Victims: A 25-year-old mother suffered severe burns, and her 2-year-old child sustained serious injuries. Both were rushed to specialized trauma and children’s hospitals in Rhode Island.

Displacement: Eight residents were displaced as the home was declared a total loss, with two neighboring houses also suffering significant fire damage.

How the Snow Impacted the Response
Fire Chief Steven Lavigne noted that while the department plans for winter emergencies, the sheer volume of snow from the recent blizzard created “unique challenges”:

Narrowed Streets: Massive snowbanks lined the roads, making it difficult for heavy fire apparatus to maneuver and park near the hydrant.

Access Issues: Piles of snow blocked walkways and entrances, forcing firefighters to trek through waist-deep drifts with heavy equipment to reach the seat of the fire.

Hydrant Access: Crews had to ensure hydrants were clear of snow before they could establish a steady water supply to douse the “inferno” that threatened adjacent homes.
“We’re recovering from a blizzard. The roads are lousy. The streets are narrow,” Chief Lavigne told reporters at the scene.
Investigation Underway
While the cause is still officially under investigation by the Taunton Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s office, utility crews from Eversource were on-site to shut off gas and power.

Interestingly, on the same day in nearby Middleboro, a gas leak was reported at a shopping plaza after a snowplow accidentally dislodged a gas meter—a reminder of how post-storm cleanup itself can sometimes create new hazards.