Marshal: Danvers plant had too many flammables
Boston Herald
By Jessica Van Sack
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Danvers chemical plant that exploded in November 2006 was storing twice comthe bustible material for which it was licensed, the state fire marshal has found.
But the two companies who shared space in the plant, ink manufacturer CAI Inc. and paint company Arnel Co. Inc., will face only $400 each in fines for a variety of state violations, including improperly storing chemicals. The blast injured 20 people, destroyed 19 buildings and damaged 250 other structures.
“That’s such a petty amount,” Senate Majority Leader Frederick Berry (D-Peabody) said of the state fines. “It really is outrageous.” The fines are the maximum the fire marshal can impose.
Susan Tropiano, who is still repairing her home, said, “It really is bizarre. I was one of the lucky ones.”
The fire marshal filed a criminal complaint last week against the companies for the excess storage capacity. The companies will face about $100 in fines if found guilty.
In June, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the firms for 23 violations with a total of $32,000 in fines, a punishment also decried by neighborhood residents as too light.
The companies at the plant had a storage capacity for 24,000 gallons of flammable material. They were only licensed to hold half that amount, according to the fire marshal’s 19-page report.
The report also found that flammable nitrocellulose was stored on the site without a license.
Representatives from Arnel could not be reached. Paul Sartorelli of CAI said company officials hadn’t finished reading the report and refused to comment.
Danvers Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Farrell noted there is no way to know the exact amount of combustible chemicals present at the time of the explosion. Investigators concluded the explosion was sparked by a buildup of flammable gases that ignited.
“There are many of these chemical plants that are really below the radar,” said state Rep. Theodore Speliotis (D-Danvers).
