Published: 11/29/2006
Day 6: Turf war resolved; 'Port takes slow steps forward
By Matthew K. RoyStaff Writer
DANVERS - State and federal officials yesterday resolved a dispute that had prevented a team of federal investigators from working at the site of last Wednesday's chemical plant explosion.
Officials from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board were allowed yesterday onto the explosion site off Water Street after being denied access for four days. At a morning meeting in the U.S. attorney's office in Boston, an agreement was struck between the state fire marshal, state police fire investigators, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Danvers Fire Department and the Chemical Safety Board.
"All parties have agreed to cooperate in executing their different missions," said a joint statement issued after the meeting.
State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said Monday the Chemical Safety Board was barred from the site because it was still a possible crime scene. Yesterday's agreement permits the board's investigation to coincide with the criminal one.
"The CSB and ATF will coordinate to ensure the integrity of the ongoing civil and criminal investigations during the access to the site," the statement said.
Coan said a final determination about whether the explosion was a crime or an accident could come as early as today.
"We're very pleased that our authority and jurisdiction has been recognized," said Daniel Horowitz, spokesman for the Chemical Safety Board.
The Chemical Safety Board is a Washington, D.C.-based federal agency that investigates chemical accidents and makes recommendations to prevent their recurrence. Its authority is derived from the federal Clean Air Act.
Horowitz said six investigators will be on the scene today identifying and documenting evidence, and two more will arrive by tomorrow. "We're sorry for the delay, but we're happy to be there. We'll see what the conditions are."
Coan said the board's expertise will be a valuable asset. "The Chemical Safety Board has an important role to play in a successful outcome to this investigation."
A week after a massive explosion rocked Danversport, Coan said his investigators could wrap up work at the scene today. "The investigators had another good day," he said yesterday. "They made good progress."
Two more families moved back home yesterday, bringing the total up to 14 since Sunday. Town Manager Wayne Marquis said another four or five families remain "a step away" from going home.
