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The couple escaped with their dog, Kyaio, a 12-year-old Belgian sheepdog, but left almost everything else behind. And they said they have no renter's insurance.

"We decided not to renew it," Gould said, "because we have no flood (coverage), and we decided that the only thing that could happen down there was a flood."

Melissa Surawski, 26, had an unusual dilemma that had a happy ending. A graduate student at the University of New Hampshire, she had left her passport at her parents' home at 18 Bates St. and was flying to France last night. After waiting a few hours yesterday for approval to enter the "war zone," she was allowed into the house and found her passport right where she had left it.

"It's in my dresser drawer," she said.

Unnoticed injuries

Many residents were noticing injuries yesterday that they didn't realize they had. Mark McDermott, 35, who lived at 3 Bates St., right next to the blast site, discovered bruises and cuts on one side of his body. But he just shook it off.

"My health is fine," he said. "I've got some glass on my feet I have to take care of."

McDermott likely got the glass shards when he and a friend ran barefoot over to 1 Bates St. to help Deborah Riva escape with her dog.

"We could hear our neighbor yelling for help," he said. "She couldn't open her door (which was blocked by debris) while holding her dog." The two men grabbed the dog and helped move the debris.

Even though many of the homes in Danversport are empty, town officials said the site is secure. A total of 100 homes were boarded up - all but the five on Bates Street that have been deemed too dangerous to enter.

"We have actually gone in and locked those homes that are boarded up," Marquis said.

The 12 people transported to area hospitals - 10 due to the blast and two for health issues compounded by the emergency - did not suffer major injuries, officials said.

"To the best of my knowledge, nobody remains in the hospital," Marquis said.

Five firefighters suffered minor injuries, according to Danvers Deputy fire Chief Kevin Farrell.

Help center to open

Residents affected by the explosion are being directed to Town Hall today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Federal, state and local officials will set up stations to answer questions.

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