Multiple explosions, fires reported in Massachusetts

Emergency responders respond to reports of several gas-related explosions and fires in three communities in the Merrimack Valley area Thursday afternoon.

The Eagle-Tribune newspaper reports that at least one house was destroyed and several others caught fire due to a problem with a gas line supplying homes in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence, Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts state police said they confirmed the response to 17 different addresses in the three communities for fires, explosions or investigations.

Andover issues an evacuation notice for all residents and businesses. It is advised to any person knowing how to disable the service of gas in his house or his building.

Lawrence Fire said that they were reacting to multiple incidents in the city where residents called it to say that there was a problem with the gas line in their home. Several fires have been reported.

Lawrence's chief of police, Roy Vasque, told The Eagle-Tribune that he "has never seen anything like it".

The newspaper reported that some neighborhoods were being evacuated.

The state's fire marshal said they were sending several fire investigators to the Lawrence / North Andover area for a report of a major high-pressure gas explosion that would affect several homes. They stated that fires and explosions had been reported.

It is not known yet if anyone was injured.

Massachusetts State Police said to be on the scene and additional troops were responding to Lawrence, Andover and North Andover to help secure the scene and control traffic after "several gas explosions and fires structures ".

Columbia Gas says it has several teams heading to Lawrence and North Andover to assess the situation. They ask anyone who smells of gas to leave the area and avoid turning on or off lights, opening or closing doors or using cell phones. or fixed. Once they have left the area, they can call the Columbia Gas Emergency Line at 800-525-8222.

Copyright Associated Press / NECN