>> we' all good. hospital those involved with the explosion were being decontaminated. a haz-mat observes team is trying to interthe building to determine the damage done and why all this happened in the first place. clearly concerned. >> right up the street from nye house it, makes you happen. >> reporter: a lot of concern right now, exact lay what happened inside this plant earlier today. we're waiting to hear from the state fire marshal. one of the problems is a lot of relatives of employees who work here have been rushing to the scene over the past couple of hours clearly concerned with their loved ones trying to find out if everybody is okay so police have been trying to deal with those people and hazmat officials say nobody is getting inside the building until they make sure that it is safe to do so. live in north andover tonight, steve cooper, 7 news.

serious victims were first rushed to lawrence general hospital for decontamination. some them had to go on for further treatment. but let's check in with kimberly bookman to get the latest on their conditions. >> reporter: yes, you know four people were brought hospital. we understand all of them were in the same area of the plant when this blast occurred. and all of them are in critical condition. now a hospital spokesperson says that all of the decontaminated. washed down outside to rid them of the chemicals from the explosion before they entered the hospital. now they were exploded to a chemical called trimethyl aluminum which irrates tates the -- irritates the skin. three patients were stabilized and moved to boston hospitals. they had severe injuries and they needed a level one trauma center. the fourth person is still here at lawrence general. >> this was an explosion. it was a chemical explosion

so what the patients had was blast injuries as well as the chemical on their bodies they were' exposed to. >> reporter: now the hospital will not say exactly where those injuries on the body happened. but they are saying they're significant and severe. reporting live from lawrence, kimberly bookman, 7 news. >> ryan: following other breaking news. historic plunge in the stock market as the dow drops by almost 400 points. the slide follows china's second day long trading more. >> reporter: wall street analysts say investors are starting the new year in panic mode and, it's not pretty out there. on the dow the first four trading days of 2016 are the worst first four trading days of any new year ever. in terms of a percentage drop. the blue chip original down 5% in 2016. the dow shaved 2.1/3, the

points down to 18,214. that appears to be the wrong number there. it was worse. on the tech heavy nasdaq. it fell 146 points, 3%, to 4689. china is in turmoil. trading was halted today after their stocks crashed losing about 7% of their value overnight. in today's world wide economy trouble in china means trouble here. following oil prices fueling investor fierce. this is officially a market correction. because stocks have lost 10% of their value since the high set last summer. that is our story live in the newsroom i'm jonathan hall, 7 news. >> kim: update on breaking news. the four people hurt in the chemical explosion in andover, this is the state fire marshal. >> in this facility. north andover fire department and area fire departments transported four victims to lawrence general hospital.

victims have been transported to boston hospitals. for further treatment. north andover fire department activated the regional maz mat system at a tier 3 level which brought approximately 40 hazmat techs to the scene. in addition, the state police bomb squad assigned to the office of the state fire marshal is also onscene working jointly with the haz-mat team and dow chemical personnel. this is an active scene as we speak. during this current operational period, we're stabilizing the ongoing processes. eliminating any future hazards and will begin an investigation following the confirmation that the area is secure. it is too early to speak about the cause. in addition to north andover fire department, mutual aid departments in the surrounding areas, north

d.e.p., osha, mema are onscene and i have made notification to the u.s. federal chemical safety bureau board in washington, d.c. . we are aware of another incident that occurred at this facility in october of 2013. that incident resulted in a fatality also of a worker of this facility. at this time, we're in the process of a preliminary review of our records from that incident. it does not appear to have a connection to the type of incident that we're involved in at this time. as we move forward in this investigation, over the next coming days, we will be doing a forensic revw of the requirements of dow chemical at this plant in regard to our state fire code and other applicable codes. but at this time, we're focused exclusively on the mid gauges and stabilization.

this time no no residence in the area, no persons outside of that facility are in any danger at this time. [inaudible] al that we're prepared to say at this point, let me back up and have you understand that we have not at this point had direct access to the room in question. the lab in question, so that we could analyze the chemical. but preliminary information we have is this was a chemical that was reactive to water. and for some reason that will come out as part of the investigation, this chemical reacted with water which resulted in the explosion and therefore the injuries to the lab workers. >> how big of an explosion was it in your eyes an how much damage? i know you haven't been inside but was it a massive explosion that shook the building? how many people were inside? was there pressure to the system go off? can you explain the

>> in very brief terms there does appear to be some windows broken from the explosion. there does appear to be damage from the lab itself in the way of some protective hoods that have come down from the explosion. those are part of the investigation once we get in there that we will be able to take a larger look at. but, we do believe at this time that the building is stable. the building is not in danger structural rale. but there is substantial damage to the laboratory itself. >> pulled out by their co-workers. >> i don't know that. i would see if local authorities know. >> we believe that the injured were blam tore and were able to make their way to the exits with assist taps. >> they walked out on their own power? >> correct. [inaudible] >> i don't know the answer to that.

, no. [inaudible] >> again i don't know. we know what the chemical is. not going to talk too much about the chemical at this time. it's something our haz-mat people are looking at but because this is in a laboratory, make the assumption it is' a chemical they use for some type of process. but beyond that we can't say much about it. [inaudible] >> i believe so. that is our understanding. yes. [inaudible] >> that's correct. again part of the investigation we don't exactly what happened but the cause of the investigation was coming together of the chemical and water that resulted in the violent explosion that occurred in the laboratory.

>> no, we know, we've been able to research very quickly our records from our investigation and in 2013. it was a totally different type of chemical. it was a different type of operation that resulted in that incident. >> were there any changes made after that 2013 fatality that were put in place or that maybe were not put in place? >> i don't know at this point. >> do they wear special suits that would prevent . >> ryan: you've been listening to the state fire marshal talk about the explosion that happened in north andover. four victims, three of them taken to boston hospitals now. the focusing in on a laboratory where there was a chemical reaction to water. that led to the explosion there. there was another incident in 2013 where the worker was killed. much more on this all night here on 7 news. >> kim: to a major announcement today involving nbc and whdhtv and it could

nbc saying it will not renew its network affiliation with our station. and the as dan hausle reports this plan sets up a poe tension storm for tv viewers in the boston area. >> tomorrow, 8 -- it will be the. >> reporter: some of your favorite nbc programs may be disappearing from your tv screens, now that the networks has announced plans to end its relationship with whdhtv at the end of the year. >> >> the station owner is fighting to keep that from happening? we intend to contest the plans. >> reporter: nbc's planned tv divorce could fight a decision that was made earlier. comcast promised to make sure people could continue to get nbc programming free over the air without being forced to buy cable. nbc tells whdh its programs

bracketing from wneu in merrimack, new hampshire, but as this map shows, that signal doesn't reach half the city of boston and millions of viewers farther south. whdh's signal reaches all the viewers. >> they have the right to a station, changes affiliation, that is their privilege. they don't have a right to violate the agreement between come kat, nbc and the affiliates. >> an the government. >> and the government this. is clearly not in the public interest. they will have half of the coverage area as channel 7. they will reach less than half of the population. >> reporter: anson is not the only went worried about viewers losing out. the mayor is keeping a close eye on what is happening. >> one of my concerns it's unclear of what the future of nbc will be in the city of boston. if it's going to be put, part of a package where people have to pay for it. right now it's free.

of ed markey releasing this statement as a long time supporter of universal service and free recovery the air local broadcasting, senator markey intends to closely scrutinize the impacts any deal could have on viewers in massachusetts. nbc says its new station will be over the air and not cable only and added we are committed to expanding our air the air coverage and are looking at a variety of options to accomplish that. anson has been through the fight before when nbc pulled its affiliation from its miami station wsvn25 years ago. anson says if nbc succeeds in separating again, viewers can be sure whdh and 7 news will more than survive. >> i continue to believe that our agreement is going to get extended but in the

news is still going to flourish, still going to be the news station in boston, still going to have outstanding coverage. we're going to innovate and continue to have exciting news casts. >> reporter: all nbc programming will continue to air here on this station until at least the end of the year. live in the newsroom, dan hausle, 7 news. >> ryan: a big band, schools in the bay state. why officials are banning a popular piece of new technology. what would you do with five minutes to kill, and a smart phone? check the scores. probably post a pic. text a friend. how about register to vote? really? you can. five minutes online and a massachusetts drivers license is all it takes to register so you can vote

it's that easy. done. i just registered. that was easy. register today. you got people working incredibly long hours. median family income today -- $4,000 less than it was in 1999. the bottom line of this economy is that it is rigged. what this campaign is about is to demand that we create an economy that works

of billionaires. if you work 40 hours a week in america, you should not live in poverty. i'm bernie sanders,

>> ryan: emmerson college pumping the brakes on a hot trend on campus. the school is banning hover boards. >> kim: this is after a federal safety investigation after a number of hover boards caught fire. byron barnett is live at emmerson with more this evening. >> reporter: the emerson college has e-mailed all students telling them to leave their hover boards at home. they say the popular scooters are too dangerous for the busy street on this downtown boston campus. >> wow. there it goes. >> reporter: hover boards exploding catching fire. >> wow. look. >> reporter: mike tyson an one of them takes a tumble. emmerson college is banning the newly popular hover boards over concern about potential accidents. >> they get in the way. they zip in and out.

>> whenever someone is barreling down the street you do get hit. i've been run over. >> reporter: by hover boards? >> my foot is scrammed. so i agree with the ban. >> reporter: officials in west bridgewater have also banned hover boards from school property. >> our concern was they could be in a locker and catch fire, nobody would see it. which we didn't want that to happen. >> in conversations with students i've heard some students have gotten them for christmas and the have been using them. >> i think it's important they ban hover boards because they're very up safe. >> reporter: have you ridden or -- >> dad is wiping out or something, so that is pretty much it. >> reporter: do you have a desire to get one? >> not really, no. can't say i do. >> reporter: now school officials in west bridgewater say they haven't had to deal with any hover board incidents and the they say by implementing this ban on hover boards they hope to

that is the story live in downtown boston, byron barnett, 7 news. debate continuing.

>> reporter: good evening, right now boston is 36. bedford is 23. orange at 26. partly cloudy skies, nice day out there today. clouds building east of, gulf of maine, high pressure

sunshine will pull some of the clouds into new england late tonight and for the next couple of days. lows tonight upper 20s to low 30s. there may be a couple of patches of drizzle and freezing drizzle tomorrow. temperatures low to middle 30s boston 33. but you notice norwood here, and worcester and afterre. upper 20's not to say that everybody here in this pink shading gets the freezing drizzle but there maybe a couple of pockets of that. be mindful of that. tomorrow we'll hold on to the clouds. it's a chilly saw day. even though i think you can get through much of the day not needing the rain gear. saturday much the same. temperatures near 40 degrees and all from high pressure. low pressure our next storm here it is over here, and he will wind up and become quite the beast passing west of new england. the reason that is important is because when the storms go to the west, there is no cold air around so we're

rain on the way. with near record warmth on sunday. temperatures into the lower `50s on sunday. then early next week, temperatures only in the upper 30s flurries possible middle of next week, see you tonight at 11:00. >> reporter: the patriots taking it easy for a secretary straight day. belichick choosing to put his team through another walk through with the patriots opponent in the divisional round still unknown at this point. no plan to install at this point. alex corddry has more from foxboro on the patriots bye week preparations. >> there shall a one game season. we want to have our greatest performance next saturday. >> reporter: the patriots don't enter the post-season with much momentum having lost four of their last six games. injuries played a big role. >> we've some guys that are out that are leaders. guys that have been around here so i think that is always a boost seeing guys back.

will come from edelman. he is on pace to return for the divisional play-offs. >> edelman is a great player, great guy. so excited to have him back. he brings so much to the offense. >> reporter: you can say that again. he is tom brady's most reliable target. pats have converted on just 32 percent of their third down attempts since week 11, a big drop-off from the 49% rate they had with edelman on the field. but can the phones flip the switch when injured players return to the line-up? >> it's not that easy to just say get healthy. we'll pick up where we left off but it's a start. >> reporter: offensive problems run deeper than the passing game. the pats have run for 226 yards since their win in houston when blunt suffered a season-ending hip injury. >> we have to go out to practice, work together and the everyone get on the same page. >> reporter: prepare for another run to the ultimate prize, alex corddry, 7 sports.

mcquaid will miss the bruins upcoming road trip. mcquaid suffered what appeared to be a head injury in to us' loss to the capitals when he was checked from behind into the glass by sill. celtics coach brad stevens will miss tonight's game in chicago to visit a former player of his from the university or butler university. the celtic assistant coach will take over the coaching that is sports.

wow. the internet is crazy fast here. i know, right? over. hi hey. mmm. i just laid an egg. does anybody want it? joey, you want some gasoline? yes, please. mom, guess what? i married a clown and we're having tiny little clown babies. mhm. i just bought a hammer. with internet fast enough for everyone, your guests might get a bit carried away. get out of the past.

>> ryan: thank you for joining you, i'm ryan schulteis. >> kim: i'm kim khazei, have a great mornings. wonderful, crazy mornings. we figure you probably don't have time to wait on hold. that's why at xfinity we're hard at work, building new apps like this one that lets you choose a time for us to call you. so instead of waiting on hold, we'll call you when things are just as wonderful... [phone ringing] but a little less crazy. we're doing everything we can to give you the best experience possible. because we should fit into your life. not the other

they're problem-solvers. they like making things better. people don't have access to healthcare because they just can't afford it. bernie sanders understands how pharmaceutical companies and major medical companies are ripping us off. bernie tells the truth, and he's been consistent. he understands that the system is rigged, and he's the only one who can bring real change. i'm bernie sanders, and i approve this message. (cell phone rings) well the squirrels are back in the attic. your dad won't call an exterminator... can i call you back, mom? he says it's personal this time... if you're a mom, you call at the worst time. it's what you do. if you want to save fifteen percent or more on car insurance, r where are you?r are you taking at