Gas fires, explosions in the Lawrence area

Dozens of fires broke out Thursday afternoon in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, and the state police notified all residents of those communities who had received their Columbia Gas gas service. evacuate their homes immediately.

"The gas pipes are currently depressurized by society," but it "will take time," the state police said in a tweet.

Firefighters have been called to 39 locations in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover for reports of suspected gas fires and explosions, state police said, and that number may increase.

"Many evacuations" are going on in places where the gas has been smelled, and "soldiers are on hand to help with the security of the premises and traffic control," state police said.

State police said it was "too early to speculate" on the cause and that a "joint investigation will be conducted when the situation is stabilized."

Local television helicopter video footage showed plumes of smoke and orange flames rising from several buildings in the area.

A spokesman for the State Fire Marshal's Office said there was a first report of an overpressure in the gas line that caused the fire and explosions. Office investigators are on their way to the region.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said staff members were en route to help with "multiple fires and possible overpressure of the gas lines".

"The state firefighter mobilization plan has been activated for 4 working groups on structural fires in order to get mutual help in other parts of the state," the agency tweeted.

Gas service is provided in the area by Columbia Gas. A Columbia Gas spokesperson did not immediately return a phone or e-mail message requesting a comment.

The Columbia Gas website said in a message dated Thursday: "We will improve natural gas lines in the neighborhoods of the state."

The National Grid, which provides electricity to the region, is also reacting to turn off the electricity service in homes, said National Grid spokeswoman Christine Milligan.

In North Andover, Garry Frizzell, 50, said he smelled gas at home at 4:45 pm

"I said," I left the stove on "- then I realized that I had not used it for three days," he said in front of his house and several emergency vehicles exploded.

Nearby, on Main Street, thick smoke was coming out of the upper window of the house as several firefighters attempted to extinguish a fire. Neighbors gathered to watch and exchange the little information they had.

A man ran from house to house to close the gas lines.

"It's like Armageddon," said Frizzell later, moving away from a fire that had been flipped to another one that had not been. "I was at the Boston Marathon bombings and that -" he signaled to the smoke, the fire trucks, the helicopters that were spinning over his head – "remind me."

Jordan Burgess Sr., 80, another neighbor near the Main Street fire, smelled gas and left his home.

"The chief of police, he was in the street. He said, "Do not go home," said Burgess.

Andrew Mayor, North Andover's City Manager, tweeted that there were "multiple fires of work" in town.

"If you smell gas, do not go home, you can evacuate to North Andover High School," he said. "As a precaution, the city is now advising all natural gas residents to evacuate their homes until further notice."

Merrimack College North Andover ordered all students, faculty and staff to immediately evacuate campus buildings.

Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera could not be reached by the Globe for comment. But in an interview with WBZ-TV, Rivera urged residents of South Lawrence to evacuate their homes.

"If you are in a house south of Lawrence and you smell gas, evacuate your house. If you see fire in and around your house, "evacuate Rivera.

"If you smell anything in the gas sense, take no chances," said Rivera.

Lawrence's police, the EMS fire department and the Red Cross were present.

Rivera would not say if there were any injuries.

"We are trying to replenish it," he said.

Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon said there were 20 to 25 homes on fire at Lawrence. Solomon, who is in Lawrence, says there are so many fires "we can not even see the sky".

The city of Andover said on Facebook that residents had to turn off their gas if they knew how to do it safely.

"ATTENTION ANDOVER: If you know how to safely shut off your gas, do it. Residents and businesses are welcome to evacuate. We will post updates as soon as we have information, "said the message.

Local television helicopter video footage showed smoke plumes rising from several buildings.

The elements of the Associated Press have been used in this report.