Rocks from quarry blasting damage homes like a falling meteor

Several homes in a quiet Rhode Island neighborhood were left devastated after rocks flew from a nearby quarry during a planned blasting operation. The incident took place on Ashaway Road in Westerly, causing shock and disbelief among residents.

Local homeowner Alex McColl was stunned when he arrived home to find rocks scattered across his property. Looking up in his kitchen, he was amazed to see the aftermath of the rockfall. Luckily, his costly solar panels narrowly escaped being hit by the debris. Further down the road, another residence bore the impact of the rocks, leaving yet another hole in its wake.

Nate Harrington, another resident in the area, described the situation as akin to a meteor falling from the sky. The force of the explosion launched rocks of various sizes, ranging from baseball-sized to larger than a size-11 shoe, dangerously close to vehicles and houses. Eyewitnesses recounted how the rocks narrowly avoided crashing into passing cars, highlighting the potential danger posed by the unexpected rockfall.

The town officials confirmed that the rocks originated from a nearby quarry during a blasting event operated by Maine Drilling and Blasting. The quarry, situated approximately 200 yards away from the affected residences, has been a source of concern for the community. Despite a representative from the company visiting the impacted houses to address inquiries, no official comment was provided regarding the incident.

Reports indicate that this is not the first time such incidents have occurred. In 2018, two employees from the Westerly Department of Public Works were hospitalized after being struck by granite during a similar blasting operation. The recurrence of these events has left residents in fear for their safety and demanding stricter regulations to prevent further accidents.

The urgency to address the safety concerns surrounding the quarry has become a critical issue for the neighborhood. With multiple incidents reported and the potential threat to lives and property, residents are calling for immediate action to ensure that similar incidents do not happen in the future. The impact of the unexpected rockfall serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with quarry blasting operations and the necessity for stringent safety measures to protect the community.

In light of the recent events and past incidents, residents are united in their demand for accountability and stricter safety protocols to prevent such occurrences from happening again. The focus is on holding the responsible parties accountable and implementing stricter regulations to safeguard the well-being of the neighborhood. The urgent need for action underscores the critical importance of ensuring the safety of residents and preventing future disasters caused by quarry blasting incidents.