Mar 11, 2008 7:01 pm US/Eastern
Danvers Explosion Site Had Chemical Overload
BOSTON (AP) ―
The state fire marshal says a Danvers chemical plant that exploded in November 2006 was storing twice the combustible substances it was permitted to keep.
Twenty people were hurt, but there were no deaths.
The fire marshal's report released Tuesday found the plant in violation of several regulations and recommended fines totaling $400.
It says the facility was permitted to store 12,000 gallons of flammable chemicals, but had about 24,000 gallons on site.
The explosion in the facility, shared by an ink manufacturer and paint and adhesive maker, destroyed 19 surrounding buildings, including some homes.
The explosion, which damaged 250 buildings as well as cars and boats, has already been blamed on a buildup of combustible gases that ignited.
Neither company immediately responded to requests for comment.
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