Below is the link to the complete transcript of the May 9, 2007 public meeting held in Danvers with the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board concerning the CAI/Arnel Chemical Plant Explosion.

CAI/Arnel Chemical Plant Explosion

Inspection by both state and local fire departments as well as other agencies concluded that the Danvers explosion was most likely the result of “a high order chemical vapor explosion of Heptane used in the company’s manufacturing process,” as stated in the Massachusetts Department of Enviornmental Protection ‘s (MassDEP) release of investigation findings. As explained in the MassDEP release, the explosion of the Heptane vapors was caused by accidental overheating of the chemical; however, an ignition source cannot be identified due to the damage to the building as well as the presence of numerous possible ignition sources.

In response to the explosion that severely damaged homes and businesses in the Danvers area, a new program has been launched whereby small to mid-size chemical plants will be inspected and assessed for potential hazards that they may cause surrounding densely populated residential areas in case of an accident or explosion. Safe Neighborhoods Chemical Initiative is a collaboration of MassDEP inspectors, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, and local fire departments which will launch in May 2007 and scrutinize small to mid-size companies that either have the potential for causing an accident, leading to injury or death, have contained on the premises highly hazardous materials such as flammable gases, reactive chemicals, explosives, etc., and/or are in close proximity to densely populated areas. Thus far, approximately 40 facilities in Massachusetts meeting this criteria have been identified and inspections of those facilities will be well underway as of July 2007.

Danvers Explosion Investigation Findings

Safe Neighborhoods Chemical Initiative

Summary of Arnel/CAI Danvers Explosion Investigation Findings

WHDH-TV New England News Channel 7 Report and Video

As we build our resources and information on the Danversport trust and the claimants who are seeking redress as a result of the massive explosion we have included a copy of the Salem News Article that originally ran January 31, 2007 on this innovative approach.

 If you missed the first run, you can access the news story about the Danversport trust by clicking here.

Keep up with our blog and additional news and information becomes available.  

We also have four links to the Danvers Herald’s series of articles on the explosion.

Rebuilding Danvers, March 22, 2007

Danversport explosion: Port victims still seek answers

Slideshow: A community comes together to help Danversport residents.

Slide show of Danvers Herald photos of Danversport explosion

All of this material will help you get started on following this story and where we hope to be heading with the Danversport Trust.

Please note we will be commencing our Danversport blog which will provide information, updates and details into the investigation of the massive explosion that occurred in November of 2006 in the Danversport, MA area. This as yet unresolved issue, as to the origin of the blast, is still being investigated and we will cover the news and events extensively here.

If you have information, concerns or comments simply post them in response to our postings here.