Nov 29, 2006 11:05 pm US/Eastern
Officials: Danvers Explosion Not A Criminal Act
DANVERS (CBS4) ―
Officials announced Wednesday that the investigation into the November 22, 2006 explosion on Water Street in Danvers found no evidence that the explosion was caused intentionally.
"The investigative team has found no evidence that the explosion was caused by an intentional criminal act," said State Fire Marshall Stephen D. Coan. "The cause and origin investigation is ongoing. The investigative team has determined that a single explosion event took place inside that 10,000 square foot structure and that additional explosion events were that result of the first one. We have identified several areas of interest that we will continue to investigate as well as identify possible ignition sources in those areas."
Completion of the on-site probe means the Environmental Protection Agency will be able begin cleaning up the chemical-laden debris. The pre-dawn blast occurred in a building that housed CAI Inc., an ink maker, and Arnel Co., a paint producer.
Also on Wednesday, the federal Small Business Administration issued physical and economic injury disaster declarations for the town of Danvers, making low interest federal loans available to explosion victims.
About 200 residents were forced to evacuate their homes, but no one was killed or seriously hurt. At least 10 homes and businesses were destroyed and dozens more were damaged.
Danvers Town Manager Wayne Marquis said 14 families had moved back into their homes as of Tuesday night, and more were expected to return Wednesday. He said other residents of the neighborhood in the Danversport area will be displaced for weeks or months until their houses can be repaired.
(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
