Residents, rescuers express their gratitude

"In just seconds, our dream was gone."

Fernando Neves, co-owner of Danversport Bakery, which was destroyed by the explosion next door. He and his partner had owned the business for less than two years.

"Vamos agora! Vamos agora!"

Luis Ferreira, speaking in Portuguese to a co-worker at Danversport Bakery. The English translation is "Let's get out." After the explosion, the lights went dark and the ceiling collapsed as they were baking rolls for Thanksgiving dinners.

"We're a lucky town. ... We have no deaths or serious injuries." Danvers Town Manager Wayne P. Marquis

"Hi, hero! How are you?" Deborah Riva of Bates Street, speaking on a cell phone to neighbor Dave Marcou, who helped her get out of her house after the blast.

"At this point, I'm doing OK. I'm sure I'll have times where I'll get depressed, but that is not going to stop me from getting back on my feet."

Dave Marcou, whose home on Bates Street is not habitable.

"I'm just so glad nothing happened to my Waterford bowl. It was my mother's." Priscilla Lindhout, a resident of Rainbow Terrace, whose hutch fell over in the blast, smashing most of her china and glassware.

"What a fantastic job the firemen did. I went up the street, a little bit, to help out.... The firemen had everything under control. The professionalism and bravery was incredible. They were fighting a fire. And things were exploding.... I have a new appreciation for firemen."

Darryl Parker, a resident of Riverside Street who was able to move back home on Sunday.

"I was just composing prayers of gratitude. So many people were spared terrible injury."

The Rev. Gerard L. Dorgan, pastor of St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish, which serves Danversport.

Compiled by Kathy McCabe from interviews around Danvers during the past week.