A series of fatal explosions outside Boston on Thursday (September 13), apparently from a ruptured gas pipe, have injured at least a dozen people, and hundreds more were ordered from their homes.

Emergency crews have been dispatched to battle flames as homes burn in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.

Local media broadcasting scenes of smoke and destruction.

One fire chief saying it's the worst disaster he's ever experienced.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) ANDOVER FIRE CHIEF, MICHAEL MANSFIELD, SAYING: "We had companies responding to a building fire that they would extinguish the building fire, come outside and they'd find that the next building next door on fire as well.

So quite a different experience than we're used to and something that we will be analyzing and looking at all the data for a long time." The Columbia Gas company had earlier announced it would be upgrading gas lines in neighborhoods across the state of Massachusetts, including the areas hit by explosions.

The company says it's now trying to cut pressure to its lines.

But state police are telling all residents served by Columbia Gas to evacuate their homes, saying it would take time to shut off all service.