| | |
|---|
|
Seven of the victims remain hospitalized today. An investigation described as 'intense' is underway to determine what caused this fatal blast.
Xenia Turcio, Danbury: "We call about a month ago, but nobody say nothing. They just say open the windows...." The city emphatically denies the charge. They say they responded quickly to a complaint one month ago today. Dep. Chief Peter Siecienski, Danbury Fire Dept.: "Based on that call, and the investigations, a fuel oil tank was removed from the property probably within six feet or eight feet of the property line of the building which had exploded." Yankees Gas says tests today showed no natural gas leaks. Mayor Gene Eriquez, D-Danbury: "This is not gas, natural gas. There were odors of some kind of petroleum-like or gas-like product perhaps. We're just not sure what that was." One other possibility being checked out is that a stream running underneath the property may somehow be to blame.
Vapors from that may have built up and ignited, but that's just a theory. There has been no evidence of petroleum found in the water. Late in the day the fire department officially ruled out natural gas as a cause of the explosion. Identities of the victims have not yet been released. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT |
Second body found in rubble of package store
The walls of Venancio's Wine & Liquor came tumbling down about 4:00 pm. Amid the rubble a Barney doll that may never be returned to its owner.
Former residents of the building say the city didn't heed their complaints about gas odors.
Dep. Chief Siecienski: "They are investigating that because of the potential that perhaps an accellerant type material or a flammable liquid, with the raising of the watertable due to the high rains that were present the past couple of days, potentially may have carried a flammable liquid such as gasoline."