Breaking News:

Major Explosion at a Chemical Plant in Danvers, Ma. forces an evacuation. Explosion occurred around 3am this morning. Currently (fortunately) there are only 10 people reported with non-life threatening injuries. Dogs were used to determine if the buildings were evacuated, which they were thankfully. Danvers Schools are closed along with Bishop Fenwick HS in Peabody. Mass Public works has opened up Danvers HS as an emergency shelter indefinately. Mass Public works is running buses up to 1/4 of a mile out from the center of the blast to pick up residents that need shelter as their homes may be unstable due to the blast (It was that powerful). At least 30 structures are severely damaged/totaled. EPA And Coast Guard have been called to the scene as the plant is situation on the Danvers River. Coast Guard has to deal with the chemical Tolene on the river. Firefighters are currently letting the fire burn until they can better assess the situation (Once daybreak occurs).

Updates can be had at http://www.whdh.com (NBC Channel 7 - Boston).

FYI: Getting a look at the damage, it looks like a tornado blew through.

WOW that is some damage I am thankful there was no serious injuries as it could have been worse.

the good news - nobody died. but the bad news: all those folks who have been residing next to a plant with possible emissions of toluene, benzene et al. may experience increased rates of cancer and liver disease as a result of exposure to those solvent fumes.

Balanced against that is that this company had an excellent safety record before the explosion and even upgraded their system about 5-7 yrs ago.