-
Dec 6, 2007 12:39 pm US/Eastern
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
Things Slowly Returning To Normal In Everett
Everett (WBZ) ―
Just one day after a massive gas tanker explosion in Everett, things are slowly getting back to normal.
The rotary where the early morning accident occurred was reopened to traffic on Thursday, and two multifamily homes that burned in the blaze are being torn down.
The accident sent a wall of flame down Main Street, destroying two triple-deckers and forcing more than 100 people into the street in the bitter cold. Amazingly, no one was hurt.
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 ignite. The DEP said air quality and the storm drains were being monitored, and there was no reason for worry
As of Thursday morning, 60 people were still homeless.
Crews started 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 he said had been kept in his freezer.
The accident happened at about 1:41 a.m. Wednesday, when a tanker carrying 9,400 gallons of gasoline 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.
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."
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.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)