Published: 11/28/2006
Day 5: Strife over blast site continues While feds want in, state fire marshal says crime hasn't been ruled out
By Matthew K. RoyStaff Writer
Horowitz said the board has the resources, chemical and mechanical engineers as well as blast experts, to thoroughly respond to situations such as the Danvers' explosion. "This is precisely what we do," Horowitz said.
But the state fire marshal said the criminal investigators must have the "exclusive authority" to work "uninterrupted by other entities."
"We have full recognition and appreciation for the work of the federal Chemical Safety Board," Coan said. But he said he didn't want a possible legal proceeding to be compromised because outside investigators were allowed onto a crime scene.
Coan said the Chemical Safety Board might be allowed onto portions of the explosion site no longer useful in a criminal investigation. And he expected the board would play an instrumental role in the investigation if it's determined the explosion wasn't a crime.
"Our intent right now, by statute of the commonwealth, is to finish our origin-of-cause investigation," Coan said.
Coan said investigators had made "significant progress" in their search to find a cause of the explosion. He said they had narrowed their focus to a "particular area" off the explosion site but would not provide more specific details.
Environmental Protection Agency officials could begin cleaning up portions of the explosion site later this week, Coan said.
Horowitz declined to discuss what options, such as going to court, the Chemical Safety Board might pursue if it's denied access today.
"The statute is pretty clear," Horowitz said. "We have the right to enter these sites, gather and subpoena documents and witnesses, and convene public meetings. We're fully prepared to exercise those rights."
Staff writer Paul Leighton contributed to this story. Matthew Roy can be reached at 978-338-2544 or by e-mail at mroy@ecnnews.com.
Returning to normal
Town Manager Wayne Marquis continues to provide daily 10 a.m. briefings and answer residents' questions at Town Hall. Part of his message yesterday was that things in Danversport were slowly returning to normal.
He reported that the streets had been swept and that a Dumpster holding spoiled Thanksgiving food had been emptied. In addition, curbside rubbish will be collected starting at 7 this morning, as is routine, Marquis said.
