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Thousands of people were allowed to return home in Massachusetts Sunday after a gas leak that caused dozens of house fires, killing one and injuring 25.
On Sunday morning, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and public security officials made it clear to residents of Andover, North Andover and Lawrence to return home.
Nearly 8,600 affected gas meters have been shut down and about 15,000 power outages have been restored, officials said.
"It was a tough and exhausting weekend for the residents of Andover, North Andover and Lawrence, and I often say that the people of Massachusetts are resilient and that this devastating situation is no exception," said Charlie Baker. Governor of Massachusetts, Sunday morning. .
Baker said that from 6:30 in the morning, all homes in the affected area had been cleared of gas, although the city of Lawrence urged residents not to return home until 7 am.
Public safety officials said the next steps in the recovery process would be to assess the damage to the low-pressure gas system and the technicians inspecting all gas equipment.
"I would like to congratulate the police, firefighters and public service workers who have worked diligently to achieve the goal of reopening all the houses in the city," said Andover Town Director Sunday. , Andrew P. Flanagan.
Three separate explosions around 4:15 pm AND last Thursday, 80 people were burned or damaged, according to officials.
"The explosions that occurred Thursday night caused grief for many families and the loss of a young life," Baker said Sunday.
Leonel Robson, 18, of Lawrence, Mass., Was killed when a chimney from an explosion in Lawrence fell on the car he was in, officials said.
Explosions and fires initially mystified the officials. Baker said at the time that the state would work with the federal government to investigate what happened and who should be held accountable.
On Saturday, federal investigators said nothing seemed to have been intentional behind the blasts.
Robert Sumwalt, president of the agency, said Saturday that the Massachusetts government, whose pipelines sparked Thursday's explosions in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, have kept records and procedures.
They also plan to take a closer look at recent complaints from utility customers, Sumwalt said.
When the residents returned home, Columbia Gas urged people not to put their gas back.
"Now that most of the residents are back home, our teams will work to restore the gas service.This could take weeks.Do NOT re-ignite your gas," said the company. tweeted.
Andover and North Andover schools were scheduled to reopen on Monday. However, in Lawrence, officials were still working to determine if reopening on Monday was possible.
According to a news release, at least a dozen Lawrence families have been permanently displaced by the gas leak.
Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera said a relief fund for those affected by the gas leak had raised $ 100,000 Sunday morning.
When the residents returned home, a three-alarm fire occurred at Lawrence, but it was later determined that the fire was not in the affected area and was not related to the explosion. gas.
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