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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This is a developing story and has been updated throughout.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
-
At least 1 dead at Burning Man as thousands remain stranded from floodingSpeed Read
-
Earthquake rattles Southern California as Tropical Storm Hilary hits
Speed Read
-
Hawaii reportedly downplayed threat of wildfires for years prior to Maui blaze
Speed Read
-
Maui wildfire death toll hits 53, expected to rise, in Hawaii's 'largest natural disaster'
Speed Read
-
Maui wildfires kill 6, destroy historic tourist town Lahaina
Speed Read
-
3 Western states agree to cut Colorado River use in breakthrough water pact
Speed Read
-
'Out of control' wildfires lead to mass evacuation in Alberta, Canada
Speed Read
-
6 dead after rare Illinois dust storm causes highway pileup
Speed Read
