Chemical Safety Board Continues Investigation of Ink Plant Explosion
A team from the CSB documented at least 100 different examples of blast damage
– such as shattered windows or broken beams – throughout the Danvers community.
These “blast markers” will be interpreted using computer models in an effort to
better understand the nature and the explosive force of the blast.
CSB lead investigator John Vorderbrueggen, PE, said, “The probable source of
fuel for the explosion is vapor from flammable solvents that were used to
produce printing inks and paints.” He added that natural gas also remains under
examination as a possible fuel source, in addition to or in lieu of solvent
fumes.