Oct 23, 2009 7:37 am US/Eastern
Danvers Explosion Victims Upset By Settlement $
Hundreds Of Homes Were Destroyed Or Damaged In Nov. 2006 Blast
DANVERS (WBZ) ―
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A huge explosion in Danvers on Nov. 22, 2006 shook homes miles away. Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed.
CBS4/B.Barry
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Viewer photo by Barb Cooney, 3:30 am
CBS4/B.Cooney
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Danvers Explosion scene December 4, 2006
CBS4
Three years ago an
explosion at a Danvers chemical plant shook homes for miles and shattered the lives of dozens of families. The blast damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses. Now the settlement money is showing up in mailboxes, to mixed reviews.
'A REAL SHOCK'
Damage from the explosion at the CAI and Arnel chemical plant was estimated at about $30 million.
The settlement for homeowners came to about $1 million after expenses and attorney fees. That is an average of $2,700 per family, though for some families the payment was much less.
"I just know my house isn't back to what it used to be," Linda Reale said. The resident of 23 Bates Street said she feels like she's been victimized again by the check she just received – for $779. "That was a real shock."
She has tried to sell her home, but says it has lost too much value. "I don't know what to do. I have no energy left… I am just worn out."
ONLY SO MUCH TO GO AROUND
"I understand why some people are not happy with the result," attorney Jan Schlichtmann said. He oversees the Danversport Trust and the settlement for families. "There is only a limited amount of money divided among a lot of people who are all well deserving."
Not everybody is complaining.
Linda Reale's neighbor Marie Ruotolo received a bit more of the settlement money, because of a medical condition she suffered.
"I got some nice settlement money. I'm happy it's going right in the bank," Ruotolo said.
THE DAMAGE
In total, 70 families were displaced from their homes and 350 claims were submitted. The money was distributed through a point system. There were some who suffered just property damage, others were deemed to have suffered emotional damage as well.
Flashback Photos: Danvers Chemical Explosion
Three years later Bates Street in Danvers is new and improved. There is still work to be done, and not everybody has received their settlement checks. Though as word has spread – they all know not to expect much.
KEEPING THE PEACE
To keep the peace in the neighborhood, most residents are not disclosing how much they received from the settlement. The community members are a tight-knit group, and most agree this experience has brought them closer.
Federal investigators ruled a build-up of fumes inside the plant set off the explosion.
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