Utility responds after deadly gas explosions rock Massachusetts
LAWRENCE, Mass. -- A Massachusetts utility company says it will "work tirelessly to restore service" after a series of gas explosions an official described as "Armageddon" killed a teenager, injured at least 25 other people and ignited fires in at least 39 homes in three communities north of Boston. The blasts forced entire neighborhoods to evacuate as crews scrambled to fight the flames and shut off the gas.
Emergency management officials believe over-pressurized gas lines triggered the fires, but investigators have yet to reveal an official cause, CBS News' Kenneth Craig reports. Massachusetts State Police urged all residents with homes serviced by Columbia Gas in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover to evacuate, snarling traffic and causing widespread confusion as residents and local officials struggled to understand what was happening.
Early Friday, the utility issued a statement saying its crews need to visit each of the 8,600 affected customers to shut off each gas meter and conduct a safety inspection.
"Additional support is being provided by crews from several affiliated Columbia Gas companies and other utilities," the statement said. "We expect this will be an extended restoration effort, and we will work tirelessly to restore service to the affected customers."
On Friday, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency. He said he made the declaration so the state could take over recovery efforts.
CBS Boston reports this is what we currently know about the devastating explosions:
• Leonel Rondon, 18, of Lawrence, died after a chimney crashed into his car
• At least 25 people were injured
• There were 60-80 fires and 3 explosions, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)
• The issue is related to a high pressure gas main, possibly over-pressurized
• An estimated 8,600 gas meters in that region, served by Columbia Gas, were affected; multi-unit homes have multiple gas meters
• Emergency crews going door-to-door to turn off gas at each home
• The restoration process is expected to take several days or longer
• Nearly 18,000 National Grid customers are without power in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover
• Lawrence, Andover and North Andover leaders say there is no timeline on when residents can return
• All roads into Lawrence are closed until further notice
• All residents of South Lawrence, regardless of utility provider, were asked to evacuate
• Andover residents south of Rt. 28 and Salem Street were allowed to return home early Friday
• Power shut off to South Lawrence, parts of Andover and North Andover. This includes traffic lights
• 38 fires extinguished in Andover alone, with 17 additional gas leaks
• 29 homes impacted in North Andover
• "It looked like Armageddon," said Andover Fire Chief Michael Mansfield
• 10-alarm fire response in all 3 communities
• Firefighters and police from across eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire responded
• Red Cross reception centers: Andover Senior Center and Youth Center, North Andover High School, Parthum and Arlington Schools in Lawrence, Central Catholic and St. Mary's Church in Lawrence
• Residents in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover can call 211 for information
• Commuter rail service on the Haverhill line suspended beyond North Wilmington
• All off ramps from I-495 between Exits 42-45 were closed; on ramps remained open
• No school in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover on Friday, including Catholic schools
• State offices in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover are closed Friday
• Merrimack College is without power, but students are in dorms
• Lawrence courts closed Friday
• Department of Pipeline Safety and NTSB involved in investigation from federal level
CBS Boston reports that residents received automated emergency phone calls urging them to leave their homes. Power was being shut off to the entire communities of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.
Evacuations
All Columbia Gas customers in South Lawrence, Andover and North Andover were told to evacuate their homes. Red Cross reception centers were setup at the Andover Senior Center and Youth Center, North Andover High School, as well as Parthum and Arlington Schools in Lawrence.
What to do about natural gas service
Early in the evening, Columbia Gas customers were urged to turn off the gas service to their homes. Gas shutoff valves can be found on the pipe leading from the ground to your gas meter, or on the service line between the meter and the home.
Later Thursday night, Columbia Gas issued a statement asking people not to turn off their own gas, and not to open windows to ventilate.
Teams consisting of gas technicians, fire and police personnel were going door-to-door to make sure the gas is shut off to about 8,600 meters.
Once gas service is turned off, do not turn it back on unless instructed by emergency personnel.
Don't use electronics or candles
Any electric sparks or open flames can ignite natural gas in the air. If you have power and smell gas, do not turn any electric appliances on or off. Refrain from using your home phone, cell phone or a flashlight if you smell gas.
Monitor emergency information
Updates on gas service, electric service and shelters are being provided by various town emergency departments on Twitter: North Andover Twitter | Lawrence Twitter | Andover Twitter. You can also call 211 for updates.
