Thursday, 4:30 PM
Agencies end turf war over Danvers blast probe
By Globe Staff
Federal and state agencies announced today that they will cooperate in the investigation into last week's chemical plant explosion in Danvers.
Town and state fire officials had questioned the jurisdiction of the US Chemical Safety Board, a federal agency that investigates such incidents. A turf war erupted Saturday when investigators from the board were denied access to the blast site.
In a joint statement this afternoon, federal and state officials and Chemical Safety Board investigators are on the site today of the plant, which was shared by CAI Inc. and Arnel Co. Inc. Investigators from the State Fire Marshal's office, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, the Danvers Fire Department, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are also involved.
"All parties have agreed to cooperate in executing their different missions," said the statement, issued after a meeting of all the agencies this morning. "The CSB and ATF will coordinate to ensure the integrity of the ongoing civil and criminal investigations during the access to the site."
