- 2006 Danvers Chemical Fire
The 2006 Danvers Chemical Fire took place at approximately 2:45 am EST on
23 November 2006 . Anexplosion occurred at the plant ofsolvent and ink manufacturerCAI Inc. , located in the Danversport area ofDanvers, Massachusetts . The explosion was caught on security camera and was reportedly heard up to 50 miles away in southernMaine andNew Hampshire Fact|date=July 2007.
=DaThe explosion damaged over 90 homes, blowing out windows and knocking some houses off their foundations. Officials believed that some of the more extensively damaged houses would have to be leveled and rebuilt. Some of the buildings damaged included a bakery, boats at a nearby marina, and the New England Home for the Deaf, an assisted-living facility for people who are
deaf ordeafblind and elderly residents requiring constant care. "These people are extremely fragile," said state Rep.Ted Speliotis , D-Danvers, whose district includes the affected area. "Many of them haveAlzheimer's and other illnesses. It's clear they can't stay here long, but it's clear they won't be able to return for quite a while."Danvers
Fire Chief James P. Tutko toured the area by helicopter and said many residents would be kept from their homes for the foreseeable future. "It looks like a war zone, that's the only thing I can say" Tutko said. Fortunately, no one was killed. "Somebody out there likes us", Tutko commented. Finally, he said that determining the cause of the explosion would take days.Outgoing governor
Mitt Romney toured the area and said the explosion was a "Thanksgiving miracle", as the explosion was "equivalent to a 2,000 lb bomb going off in a residential neighborhood," and that no one was killed. In an area that included over 300 residents, just 10 people reported minor injuries. Residents of the area were evacuated to the Danvers High School, where temporary shelter was set up by theAmerican Red Cross ofMassachusetts Bay . Donations were taken for residents affected by the explosion. Residents were also advised to start filing insurance claims right away and to keep track of their expenses.Environmental impact
There were minor environmental concerns due to water runoff of chemicals. According to the
Environmental Protection Agency 's on-scene coordinator Mike Nalipinski, preliminary tests showed low levels oftoluene , asolvent , but said it was insignificant. Water runoff from the water used by firefighters left a purple sheen on the river and tests were conducted. However, the water is not a local drinking water supply, and the chemical evaporates quickly. Chief Tutko said there was no risk of toxic fumes getting into the air.An
Eastern Propane facility is located near the area, however, it was not the source of the explosion. A spokesman for the company said that although the property suffered some minor damage, their tanks are secure.According to
WHDH television, a person who answered the telephone at CAI'sGeorgetown, Massachusetts headquarters refused comment, and a telephone message left at the company president's home was not returned.References
*cite news|url=http://cbs4boston.com/topstories/local_story_326060222.html|title='Like 2,000 Pound Bomb' Dropped In Danvers|author=|publisher=WBZ-TV|date=2006-11-22
*cite news|url=http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/MI2591/|title=Explosion heard over 20 miles away destroys homes in Danvers|author=|publisher=Associated Press |date=2006-11-22
*cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/11/22/explosion_rocks_danvers_several_hurt_none_seriously/|title=Explosion rocks Danvers, several hurt, none seriously|author=Kathy McCabe, Donovan Slack, Christine McConville and Kay Lazar|publisher=The Boston Globe |date=2006-11-22
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