The Associated Press
DANVERS, Mass. — Criminal conduct has been ruled out as the cause of a massive explosion that destroyed an ink and paint plant last week, officials said Wednesday.
The explosion took place in a building occupied by inkmaker CAI Inc. and paintmaker Arnel Co., Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said.
The Nov. 22 blast destroyed at least 10 homes and businesses, damaged dozens and forced about 200 residents to evacuate. No one was killed or seriously hurt.
With the fire marshal’s on-site probe completed, Town Manager Wayne Marquis said the Environmental Protection Agency will begin cleaning up the chemical-laden debris.
Coan said his investigators will continue to analyze data collected from the rubble.
Fifteen families had moved back into their homes as of Tuesday night, and more were expected to return Wednesday, Marquis said. Other residents will be displaced for weeks or months, until their houses can be repaired or rebuilt.
Danvers is about 20 miles northeast of Boston.