Major chemical factory explosion in Danvers last night and I
could see the explosion in the distance. I was driving on
Rt 128 north, between the Rt 114 and Endicott St. exits,
when I suddenly saw a mushroom cloud in the distance and
huge fire. There was a crackling noise then a loud boom.
I kept going on 128 then turned onto Rt 62 to head into Beverly--could see some flames and smoke just past Danversport Yacht Club. Then when I got home I tuned to WBZ and later to
local TV stations, plus we had a thread going here.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1742484/posts
Salem News:
DANVERS — A massive explosion early today in a chemical plant leveled the plant and demolished nearby businesses, blew out windows and doors in homes blocks away, and sparked a fire that engulfed adjacent buildings and homes.
There were no deaths, police said, but several people were taken to area hospitals.
The explosion at CAI Inc., 126 Water St., a chemical plant in Danversport, was reported at 2:46 a.m., according to the Fire Department. Large containers of solvents and printing inks stored inside the plant were still burning at mid-morning.
The cause of the explosion is unknown, Danvers Fire Chief James Tutko said.
Thirteen patients went to Beverly Hospital with minor lacerations, said hospital spokesman Shawn Middleton. Nine were treated and released, three were admitted and listed in good condition. One patient was still being evaluated this morning.
The explosion was heard miles away and did extensive damage to homes near the scene.
"One big bang and then a ball of flames," said Richard Parker, 62, of Rainbow Terrace, which is a few hundred yards from the plant. "I thought a truck had hit the house. The flames were at least 60 feet in the air."
Carol Parsons, 61, also of Rainbow Terrace, awoke to an unbelievable scene of damage inside her house.
"It blew the front door right off," she said, standing next to a bolted front door that had been splintered by the blast.
Several neighbors said they heard and felt a rumble, followed by one large explosion and a series of smaller blasts.
"It was like several earthquakes all at once," said Ralph Swift, a School Committee member who lives on Rainbow Terrace. "My house was rumbling — all the windows were blown in downstairs. We're lucky to be alive. I hope everyone was as lucky."
Deborah Riva of 1 Bates St. lives even closer to the site of the explosion. She ran from her house carrying her dog, Rima, a 12-year-old Basenji.
"I thought I was dreaming — that's all I could think of," she said, shaking plaster from her hair.
Riva said she ran downstairs but couldn't get out her front door because it was blocked by debris.
"It looked like a bomb went off in my house," she said.
More than 70 residents of the New England Home for the Deaf, which is located across the Danvers River from the plant, were evacuated to Danvers High School, which served as an emergency evacuation center.
Several workers at the Danversport Bakery, 114 Water St., right next to the plant, were taken to the hospital, according to neighbors. They were working when the plant blew, neighbors said.
"I saw five guys in an ambulance," said Paul Carney of Bates Street.
The Danversport Pizza Factory, 116 Water St., also had extensive damage, officials said.
People felt the explosion as far away as New Hampshire.
"I was just turning over in my sleep and my windows shook," said Robert Anderson, a retired firefighter who lives in Windham, N.H., 41 miles away. "I said, 'What the heck is that?'"
The blast brought fire engines and ambulances from many North Shore communities.