Multiple injured after more than 50 properties EXPLODE in flames in three Boston suburbs with firefighters battling up to 100 fires in gas main meltdown – as EVERYONE with gas is told to evacuate
At least 50 fires are being reported in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover
Officials said problems with the natural gas system caused multiple explosions
Methuen Police Chief said there are so man fires ‘you can’t even see the sky’
There are 25 to 30 actives fires in Andover and at least 18 in Lawrence
Police are urging residents to leave their homes if they smell gas
At least one home has been demolished, according to local media outlets
MINYVONNE BURKE
DAILYMAIL.COM
13 September 2018
Officials in Massachusetts say there are 60 to 100 fires burning in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover after problems with the natural gas system.
Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon said multiple people have been hurt but did not specify the extent of their injuries.
The Massachusetts State Police said in a tweet on Thursday that residents in the affected areas who have gas service from Columbia Gas ‘should evacuate their homes immediately if they have not done so’.
If residents who don’t have service from Columbia smell gas in their home they are urged to leave.
‘Gas lines are currently being depressurized by the company it will take some time,’ police said.
Lt. Edward Guy, spokesman for the Andover Police Department, said: ‘There are multiple basement fires in Andover. It’s some kind of gas issue. We urge residents if they are smelling gas to get out of the house and contact 911. We will get units out there.’
Residents in Andover received a robo call on Thursday asking them to shut off the gas in their homes.
According to The Eagle Tribune, officials have alerted Holy Family Hospital in Methuen to expect multiple admissions.
Solomon said there are so many fires ‘you can’t even see the sky’. The fires have destroyed at least 50 homes, according to reports.
An emergency operations center has been set up at the Public Safety Complex in Andover and an emergency system protocol has been enacted.
Officials are using Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority buses as evacuation vehicles.
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