Published: 11/23/2006
Day 1: Morning blast razes plant, rocks Danvers
Danvers: A large plume of smoke rises from the site of an explosion this morning on Water Street in Danvers The force of the explosion smashed windows miles away. Photo by Paul Bilodeau/Salem News.
Staff writer
DANVERS - A massive explosion early today in a chemical plant leveled the plant and demolished nearby businesses, blew out windows and doors in homes blocks away, and sparked a fire that engulfed adjacent buildings and homes.
There were no deaths, police said, but several people were taken to area hospitals.
The explosion at CAI Inc., 126 Water St., a chemical plant in Danversport, was reported at 2:46 a.m., according to the Fire Department. Large containers of solvents and printing inks stored inside the plant were still burning at mid-morning.
The cause of the explosion is unknown, Danvers Fire Chief James Tutko said.
Thirteen patients went to Beverly Hospital with minor lacerations, said hospital spokesman Shawn Middleton. Nine were treated and released, three were admitted and listed in good condition. One patient was still being evaluated this morning.
The explosion was heard miles away and did extensive damage to homes near the scene.
"One big bang and then a ball of flames," said Richard Parker, 62, of Rainbow Terrace, which is a few hundred yards from the plant. "I thought a truck had hit the house. The flames were at least 60 feet in the air."
Carol Parsons, 61, also of Rainbow Terrace, awoke to an unbelievable scene of damage inside her house.
"It blew the front door right off," she said, standing next to a bolted front door that had been splintered by the blast.
Several neighbors said they heard and felt a rumble, followed by one large explosion and a series of smaller blasts.
"It was like several earthquakes all at once," said Ralph Swift, a School Committee member who lives on Rainbow Terrace. "My house was rumbling - all the windows were blown in downstairs. We're lucky to be alive. I hope everyone was as lucky."
Deborah Riva of 1 Bates St. lives even closer to the site of the explosion. She ran from her house carrying her dog, Rima, a 12-year-old Basenji.
"I thought I was dreaming - that's all I could think of," she said, shaking plaster from her hair.
Riva said she ran downstairs but couldn't get out her front door because it was blocked by debris.
"It looked like a bomb went off in my house," she said.
More than 70 residents of the New England Home for the Deaf, which is located across the Danvers River from the plant, were evacuated to Danvers High School, which served as an emergency evacuation center.
