63 Springfield buildings inspected following blast

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The work to bring things back to normal in downtown Springfield is in full force, the day after a massive gas explosion injured more than a dozen people and sent bricks and glass flying for blocks.

Teams of building inspectors went out Saturday morning to assess the damage, and as of the early afternoon, they have already inspected 62 buildings near the blast site.

As they did following the June 1 Tornado, inspectors have been tagging buildings with color-coded tags, with “green” tags meaning that it safe to return inside, “yellow” tags meaning to use caution before entering, and “red” tags meaning that the structure is unsafe.

Of those inspected buildings that have been tagged, 15 buildings have been given green tags, 24 buildings have been tagged yellow, and three have been tagged red.

There is good news for residents of a nearby building that had 40 units condemned following the blast. Steve Desliets of the Springfield Department of Code Enforcement says that they are hopeful that people can move back into 30 of those units by Monday or Tuesday.

Meanwhile, tenants and property owners concerned about damage can call (413) 787-6301, or (413) 787-6032 for information.

Mayor Domenic Sarno says that residents seeking assistance can go to the State Office Building at 436 Dwight Street between 2:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. on Saturday, from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, or to City Hall during business hours on Monday.

In the meantime, civilians are still not being allowed inside a perimeter that runs