Published: 11/24/2006
Day 2: Chemical danger low, but questions remain
By Julie Manganis and Tom DaltonStaff writers
DANVERS - The investigation into what touched off Wednesday's chemical plant explosion will begin in earnest today, as state and federal investigators begin combing the scene for clues. But it could be days or even weeks before an exact cause is determined, officials said.
But regulators said contamination and the potential for a further chemical-related disaster appear to be minimal.
The state fire marshal's office, a hazardous materials team and federal investigators from the Chemical Safety Board will conduct separate investigations in an attempt to find out what caused the explosion at the Water Street plant, which housed two businesses, CAI Inc. and Arnel Inc.
CAI Inc., a family-owned company, also manufactures inks at its Georgetown facility on Martel Way, in an industrial park next to Interstate 95. The company is run by President Vincent Sartorelli of Amesbury.
The blast damaged 90 homes - 25 beyond repair - and left as many as 200 people homeless.
Danvers Deputy fire Chief Kevin Farrell said hot spots and concerns about the structural integrity of the site prevented investigators from going in any sooner. Local police have been guarding the blast site and its surroundings.
Investigators from the Chemical Safety Board, a federal agency, will also arrive today to conduct their own assessment of the scene to determine whether they will conduct a full investigation.
The agency does not have any enforcement authority of its own but will make safety recommendations to businesses, labor unions and regulatory agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
That initial assessment will include interviews, reviewing documents concerning the chemicals kept at the plant and the processes that are used there, and an inspection of the site and the neighborhood.
Air samples taken at the scene showed no dangerous levels of any chemicals in the air, Mike Nalipinski, the EPA's on-scene coordinator, said. However, there was some contamination to the nearby Waters River from fire water runoff. A low-grade solvent used in the plant was found in the river.
On whether any serious chemical damage was done, Nalipinski said simply, "The jury's still out."
Ed Coletta of the state Department of Environmental Protection said that four air samples taken downwind of the scene found no detectable levels of chemicals used in the facility. The DEP checked for a list of nine substances used in the plant.
