Seqens site being demolished in Newburyport

The latest update from the PCI Synthesis site in Newburyport, MA, via The Daily News (article by Jim Sullivan): 

NEWBURYPORT — Demolition of the damaged Seqens/PCI Synthesis pharmaceutical factory has begun, a month and a half after an early morning blast at its Opportunity Way site killed one man and injured four others.

Jack O’Keefe, 62, was killed in the early morning hours of May 4 when an explosion sent a massive vat through the roof of an addition. The company was soon hit with a cease-and-desist order from the city and Mayor Sean Reardon has indicated that he cannot see Seqens/PCI Synthesis operating in Newburyport ever again.

On Thursday, work trucks were seen coming and going at the site, but little demolition seemed to be taking place. However, a spokesperson for Seqens/PCI Synthesis said in an email the strategic demolition of the affected area began a day earlier.

Building Commissioner Greg Earls explained that a contractor began shoring up the building’s addition to make it as safe as possible before it is taken apart.

“They are propping up what could be a defective structure before they begin dismantling it,” he said.

Earls added Norwood-based GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. submitted a full demolition/shoring review with the city, which shows Needham-based JDC Demolition Inc. doing the work.

“The structurally compromised parts will be shored and the obviously affected parts will be removed,” he said. “It’s very systematic and will take weeks.”

The Seqens/PCI Synthesis spokesperson also confirmed demolition should take several weeks to complete and Earls reiterated safety remains of the utmost importance for both the company and the city.

Still no word on what the site was doing that caused so many safety incidents.