Dec 6, 2007 12:34 am US/Eastern
Thirteen Families Displaced By Everett Blaze
EVERETT (WBZ) ―
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The tanker was carrying about 9,400 gallons of gasoline when it crashed.
WBZ
Thirteen families were homeless and scores of people were in temporary shelters Wednesday night following a massive fuel truck explosion and fire.
The early morning accident sent a wall of flame down tightly packed Main Street, destroying two triple-deckers and forcing residents to the street in the bitter cold. Amazingly, no one was hurt.
John Malone, who lived in one of the ruined buildings, said he saw flames outside his window when his girlfriend woke him. More worrisome, though, was fuel from the truck that he watched move toward the homes.
"It was like a river," Malone said. "I just grabbed my girlfriend and her aunt and ran."
Malone said he began to hear cars explode as the fuel and flames reached them.
"As the river went, the fire went with it," he said.
The accident happened at 1:41 a.m., when a tanker carrying 9,400 gallons of gasoline went out of control and overturned in the Sweetser Circle rotary, connecting routes 16 and 99.
The driver, Chad LaFrance, 30, of Dover, N.H., was cited for speeding, State Police said.
Firefighters struggled with frozen hydrants and icy conditions. The fire burned for several hours before it was brought under control.
"In consideration of everything the firefighters at the scene had to deal with, I think it's a miracle that we haven't seen any serious injuries," Everett Fire Chief David Butler said at a news conference.
An area of about a half-square mile was evacuated, displacing more than 100 people. That included about 85 residents from an elderly housing complex. All were taken to a shelter at the Armory on Chelsea Street.
Most of the elderly were able to return to return to their apartments Wednesday night. About a half-dozen could not because of the odor of gasoline.
The Red Cross was assisting nine of the 13 families displaced by the fire Wednesday night. They were expected to stay in a nearby hotel for the next several days. The other four families burned out of their homes found places to stay on their own.
Crews were tearing down the two destroyed triple-deckers late Wednesday afternoon and evening. Before they did, a firefighter entered one apartment to retrieve one victim's life savings -- $10,000 – which had been kept in his freezer.
Most of the spilled gasoline burned off, but some went down storm drains and into a nearby brook and the Malden River.
The state Department of Environmental Protection said the gasoline was being vacuumed from the storm drains, and there was no danger it would ingite. The DEP said air quality and the storm drains were being monitored, and there was no reason for worry.
LaFrance works for Abenaqui Carriers Inc. of North Hampton, N.H. The New Hampshire Department of Motor Vehicles said he has a "boring" driving record, with three violations for speeding in personal vehicles. The last was in 2002.
Over the past two years, Abenaqui has better than average vehicle inspections records and was given a "satisfactory" rating, according to federal records through Nov. 29.
Company president Paul Marston told WBZ's Karen Anderson he was thankful no one was seriously hurt. He said he was concerned about the families that lost their homes.
"We've got to assess the situation and we've got to do right by them," Marston said. "We've got to do a proper investigation ... and it's obviously the families we're concerned about."
Residents say large trucks frequent Sweetser Circle and the noise often keeps them awake at night.
State Sen. Anthony Galluccio (D-Cambridge) said trucks are forced to use the rotary because a weight limit prevent them from using the Alford Street Bridge along Route 99 between Everett and Boston. He said he would seek state funds to strengthen the bridge.
"If that truck had egressed appropriately and had been able to go over the Alford Street Bridge, which has a weight capacity currrently," Galluccio told WBZ's Christine Hager, "it never would have gone through the rotary."
Lt. Gov. Tim Murray toured the scene Wednesday morning, in place of Gov. Deval Patrick, who is in China on a trade mission.
"I am relieved no one was seriously injured in today's explosion in Everett, and my prayers go out to everyone who has been impacted by this disaster," Patrick said in a statement.
The armory is asking for donations of warm clothes for the victims. Donations of jackets, pants, shirts, sweatshirts, socks, and hats can all be dropped of at the armory.
The American Red Cross has set up a fund to help the victims. If you'd like to donate you can call 1-800-564-1234 or visit their Web site, www.redcross.org.
Eagle Bank is also accepting donations to help victims of the fire. For more information call 617-387-5110 or visit their Web site, www.bankeagle.com.
You can also mail a check directly to the bank. Send your donation to the Main Street Fire Relief Fund, C/O Eagle Bank, 466 Broadway, Everett, MA, 02149.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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