Dozens of fires, explosions reported in 3 Massachusetts communities

Firefighters battle a blaze in North Andover, Massachusetts.
(Image credit: AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)

Dozens of homes were damaged and some destroyed on Thursday when multiple gas-related explosions triggered fires across several communities in Massachusetts' Merrimack Valley region.

Massachusetts State Police tweeted that emergency crews have responded to 70 different addresses in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover, but that number will grow. Residents in those areas who have Columbia Gas have been ordered to evacuate their homes immediately. Authorities said that gas lines are being depressurized, which "will take some time," and it is "far too early to speculate on cause. Joint investigation will be conducted when situation is stabilized."

Boston 25 News reports that at least 10 people have been injured by the explosions and fires.

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Catherine Garcia

Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.