SAUGUS — The WIN Waste Innovations facility on Route 107 experienced an “upset condition” that necessitated the venting of both “audible and visible” steam, the company said in a statement.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Saugus Firefighters Local 1003 said the loud noise was caused by a turbine malfunction, and there were no injuries as a result of the incident. Board of Selectmen Chairman Anthony Cogliano said he met with representatives of the plant Monday evening, who told him the incident was a turbine failure.
The upset condition occurred at around 8:25 p.m. Monday evening, and the plant was taken offline. The noise subsided after about 20 minutes, the company said.
“We will continue to work diligently to ensure the silencers are functioning properly,” the statement said. “We sincerely apologize for this disruption.”
The incident drew a response from the Fire Department, with photos from the scene showing a pumper and ladder truck along with several police cruisers in the area.
Peter Manoogian, a Town Meeting member representing Precinct 10, the closest precinct in town to the plant’s location, said the facility was louder than he had ever heard it on Monday evening.
State Rep. Jessica Giannino, who represents Revere and parts of Saugus, likened the sound emitted by the facility to that of a jet engine passing overhead.
“This is totally unacceptable and quite frightening,” she wrote in a statement posted to Facebook.
