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Outside, Gov.-elect Deval Patrick talked to reporters.

"It's just a wonderful, wonderful blessing that a catastrophe of this kind could happen and the damage could be limited to property damage," he said.

Patrick also commended the "seamless" response of state and local officials.

"It's the best example of the government behaving and acting at its best," he said.

Residents were also generally happy with the way the town has responded, considering the scope of the disaster.

"Danvers is definitely doing a good job," said Alan Greene of 24 Bates St.

Greene's wife, Tracey, didn't mind being patient about returning home.

"There's no way I'm going back in there unless I'm absolutely sure nothing's wrong," she said.

"They were helpful," Diann Sanborn of 46 Riverside St. said of the Red Cross and state assistance workers. She received food and hotel vouchers.

The emotional toll on people was evident. Some neighbors greeted each other with tearful hugs.

"People were so numb that they were just walking around in a daze," Karen Savini of 20 Riverside St. said of the explosion's immediate aftermath.

But that numbness has faded.

"It's surreal," said Susan Tropeano of 4 Bates Court. "Everybody's been crying a lot."

The problems facing people are large and small. Cheryl McCauley of 29 Bates St. said she just wanted to get back into her home so she could pick up her bills and pay them. Her husband, Keith, said the Thanksgiving feast stored in the refrigerator had spoiled.

In addition to the 10 homes that can't be saved, fire Chief James Tutko said about a dozen homes were extensively damaged and will require reconstruction. People could return to the remaining 50 homes within days, the chief said.

"We want to make sure they're going into a safe environment," Tutko said.

As of yesterday afternoon, Marquis was not optimistic that any residents would be back in their homes by nightfall, but that could change today. Town Hall will again be open, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., to assist people.

Recovery will occur on a house-by-house basis, according to the town manager.

"Every person we can get back into their homes will be a victory," Marquis said.

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