Panic in Boston as gas blasts destroy dozens of homes
Lawrence, Massachusetts: At least 39 gas explosions across a cluster of towns north of Boston have set dozens of homes on fire and sent residents fleeing in panic.
Boston television station WCVB-TV reported multiple injuries from more than 60 explosions across the area, and said that the local power company had shut off electricity to the affected communities.
State police put the tally of fires and explosions at 39 and said the number was expected to grow.
Emergency crews are scrambling to douse house fires in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, north of Boston, and gas and electricity lines are being turned off in an attempt to stop further damage.
The town of Andover said in a statement that at least three people had been injured.
The series of gas explosions have forced entire suburbs to evacuate as crews scramble to douse the flames and shut off gas and electric lines in an attempt to prevent further damage.
Massachusetts State Police say troopers have been dispatched to the three towns to secure scenes and help traffic that has snarled roads as panicked residents attempt to flee their suburbs amid the afternoon peak hour.
Joseph Solomon, the police chief in nearby Methuen, said 20 to 25 homes were on fire in Lawrence. Solomon, who responded to Lawrence to help, said there are so many fires "you can't even see the sky."
The cause of the explosions wasn't immediately clear. The Columbia Gas company had announced earlier on Thursday that it would be upgrading gas lines in suburbs across the state, including the area where the explosions happened. It was not clear whether work was happening there on Thursday, and a spokeswoman did not immediately comment.
Town officials in Andover are advising all residents and businesses to evacuate and to shut off their gas, if they know how to safely. The town of 35,000 residents is about 40 kilometres north of Boston near the New Hampshire border.
In neighbouring North Andover, town Selectman Phil Decologero said that his entire suburb had gathered in the street, afraid to enter homes. He warned anyone with concerns to leave their houses and head to North Andover High School, which is being set up as a gathering point.
"It's definitely a scary situation at the moment," he said. "It's pretty severe."
Entire suburbs were being evacuated in Lawrence. City Councilor Marc Laplante said authorities were shutting off electric power and urging residents in the Colonial Heights suburb to head to Parthum elementary and middle schools.
"People need to get out of this area safely, and it's really difficult because the traffic right now is horrendous," he said.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said staff members were heading to Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, along with state fire investigators.
AP