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== Response ==
== Response ==
Thousands of people from the city of [[Lawrence, Massachusetts|Lawrence]] and the towns of [[Andover, Massachusetts|Andover]] and [[North Andover, Massachusetts|North Andover]] were told to shut off their gas lines and evacuate their homes. In Lawrence, Mayor [[Dan Rivera]] urged residents in the city to move north of the [[Merrimack River]].<ref name=":0" /> Schools and senior citizen centers were opened up in all three areas to take in the evacuees, while nearby hotels offered to shelter those who were directly impacted from the ordeal.<ref name="LSun">{{cite web|url=http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_32136177/fire-crews-responding-series-gas-explosions-homes-lawrence|title=Gas Explosions Rock Lawrence, Andover, N. Andover|work=Lowell Sun|date=September 14, 2018|accessdate=September 14, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Masslive">{{cite web|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/09/salem_waterfront_hotel_offerin.html|title=Salem Waterfront Hotel offering remaining occupancy to anyone whose home was affected by fires, explosions in Lawrence and North Andover|work=MassLive|author=Melissa Hanson|date=September 13, 2018|accessdate=September 14, 2018}}</ref> The amount of people evacuating by vehicle though soon caused [[gridlock]] on streets that were already experiencing congestion by the afternoon [[rush hour]] commute.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eagletribune.com/news/merrimack_valley/confusion-reigns-for-fire-gas-explosion-evacuees/article_5af870b3-b806-5c9b-ad67-b778280e6f3c.html|title=Confusion reigns for fire, gas explosion evacuees|publisher=The Eagle Tribune|author=Lisa Kashinsky lkashinsky|date=September 14, 2018|accessdate=September 14, 2018}}</ref> Officials from as far away as [[Boston]] and [[Manchester, New Hampshire]] rushed to Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover as gas and electric lines were shut off to prevent further explosions.<ref name="LSun"/> Massachusetts Governor [[Charlie Baker]] monitored the situations in the [[Merrimack Valley]] area and communicated with first responders and public safety officials.<ref name=":3" />
Thousands of residents were told to shut off their gas service and evacuate their homes. In Lawrence, Mayor [[Dan Rivera]] urged residents in the city to move north of the [[Merrimack River]].<ref name=":0" /> Schools and senior citizen centers were opened to take in evacuees, and hotels offered shelter as well.<ref name="LSun">{{cite web|url=http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_32136177/fire-crews-responding-series-gas-explosions-homes-lawrence|title=Gas Explosions Rock Lawrence, Andover, N. Andover|work=Lowell Sun|date=September 14, 2018|accessdate=September 14, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Masslive">{{cite web|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/09/salem_waterfront_hotel_offerin.html|title=Salem Waterfront Hotel offering remaining occupancy to anyone whose home was affected by fires, explosions in Lawrence and North Andover|work=MassLive|author=Melissa Hanson|date=September 13, 2018|accessdate=September 14, 2018}}</ref> The amount of people evacuating by vehicle though soon caused [[gridlock]] on streets that were already experiencing congestion by the afternoon [[rush hour]] commute.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eagletribune.com/news/merrimack_valley/confusion-reigns-for-fire-gas-explosion-evacuees/article_5af870b3-b806-5c9b-ad67-b778280e6f3c.html|title=Confusion reigns for fire, gas explosion evacuees|publisher=The Eagle Tribune|author=Lisa Kashinsky lkashinsky|date=September 14, 2018|accessdate=September 14, 2018}}</ref> Officials from as far away as [[Boston]] and [[Manchester, New Hampshire]] rushed to Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover as gas and electric lines were shut off to prevent further explosions.<ref name="LSun"/> Massachusetts Governor [[Charlie Baker]] monitored the situations in the [[Merrimack Valley]] area and communicated with first responders and public safety officials.<ref name=":3" />


North Andover-based [[Merrimack College]] evacuated all its students and faculty "in an over abundance of caution" before deeming the buildings safe for re-entry and reopening of the campus.<ref name=":3" /> Schools and state offices were closed in all three communities the following day, September 14.<ref name="NTSB">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/14/us/massachusetts-explosions-fires/index.html|title='It looked like Armageddon': Homes burn in Massachusetts towns after suspected gas explosions|author=Nicole Chavez and Ray Sanchez|work=CNN|date=September 14, 2018|accessdate=September 14, 2018}}</ref>
North Andover-based [[Merrimack College]] evacuated all its students and faculty "in an over abundance of caution" before deeming the buildings safe for re-entry and reopening of the campus.<ref name=":3" /> Schools and state offices were closed in all three communities the following day, September 14.<ref name="NTSB">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/14/us/massachusetts-explosions-fires/index.html|title='It looked like Armageddon': Homes burn in Massachusetts towns after suspected gas explosions|author=Nicole Chavez and Ray Sanchez|work=CNN|date=September 14, 2018|accessdate=September 14, 2018}}</ref>

Revision as of 14:16, 16 September 2018

This article is about the 2018 incident. For the incident in 1983, see East Boston gas surge.

Massachusetts gas explosions
DateSeptember 13, 2018 (2018-09-13)
TimeAround 4:15 PM (Eastern Daylight Time)[1]
Duration2 hours and 30 minutes (estimated)[a]
LocationMassachusetts, United States
TypeFires
CauseOver-pressurized gas transmission lines
ParticipantsColumbia Gas
Deaths1[2]
Non-fatal injuries25+ (1 critical)[3][4]
Property damage40 homes[5]

A series of explosions and fires broke out in as many as 40 homes, with over 80 individual fires, in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover, Massachusetts, United States, on September 13, 2018. The cause is believed to be an issue with supplier Columbia Gas regarding over-pressurized gas valves. The disaster killed one resident, caused over 30,000 customers to evacuate their homes, and has disrupted the lives of many residents.[6][7]

Fires and explosions

Reports of fires and explosions began around 4:15 pm.[8] Emergency crews responded to between 60 and 80 fires in all,[9] with as many as 18 fires were burning at once. Andover officials struck a maximum 10-alarm response.[10][5] Resident served by Columbia Gas were told to evacuate their homes and businesses.[11]

Andover's fire chief described "billows of smoke coming from Lawrence behind me, I could see plumes of smoke in front of me within the town of Andover, it just looked like an absolute war zone."[8] A Lawrence resident described finding his boiler on fire after his smoke alarm went off; as he was extinguishing it he heard a boom from a neighbor's house and the ground shook.[12]

All of the fires were out by 6:45 PM.[9][11] Twenty-five persons were reported injured, and Lawrence General Hospital received three patients including one firefighter. One man was killed died when a chimney fell on his car.[13][11][4]

Cause

The event was caused by excessive gas main pressure.[11] There is no indication foul play was involved.[14] Gas services for approximately 8,000 residents was shut off, and electricity to portions of the three communities was also turned off to prevent electrical ignition of any remaining leaks or pockets of gas.[15][16]

Response

Thousands of residents were told to shut off their gas service and evacuate their homes. In Lawrence, Mayor Dan Rivera urged residents in the city to move north of the Merrimack River.[11] Schools and senior citizen centers were opened to take in evacuees, and hotels offered shelter as well.[17][18] The amount of people evacuating by vehicle though soon caused gridlock on streets that were already experiencing congestion by the afternoon rush hour commute.[19] Officials from as far away as Boston and Manchester, New Hampshire rushed to Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover as gas and electric lines were shut off to prevent further explosions.[17] Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker monitored the situations in the Merrimack Valley area and communicated with first responders and public safety officials.[15]

North Andover-based Merrimack College evacuated all its students and faculty "in an over abundance of caution" before deeming the buildings safe for re-entry and reopening of the campus.[15] Schools and state offices were closed in all three communities the following day, September 14.[20]

The NTSB also sent a team to investigate the situation the following day stating that they were going to look at "the design of the pipeline system", maintenance associated with it, the emergency response, and the integrity of Columbia Gas.[20] The gas company involved released several updates about the fires and explosions through their website.[21] The updates expressed sympathy over the "tragic incident" and learning of the resulting death, as well as directing readers to shelters, and how to remain safe throughout the incident.[21] Governor Baker, and Lawrence mayor Dan Rivera were later heavily critical of the response issued by Columbia Gas.[22]

On September 14, 2018, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency and issued a decree, appointing Eversource to evaluate and oversee the management of the gas distribution system in the affected area.[23] In a statement on their website, Eversource said that the restoration of gas in the affected 8,600 gas meters would be done in four phases lasting several weeks.[24]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The duration time reflects when the fires/explosions were first reported to the time when all of the fires were put out

References

  1. ^ Tim Stelloh and Tom Winter (September 13, 2018). "Gas explosion in Massachusetts leaves one dead". NBC News. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  2. ^ "1 dead after Columbia Gas pressure issue leaves homes leveled, burned". WCVB Boston. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  3. ^ Vanessa Romo. "Multiple Explosions And Fires Reported Across 3 Mass. Towns, At Least 10 Injured". NPR. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  4. ^ a b CNN, Nicole Chavez,. "Homes burn in 3 Massachusetts towns after suspected gas explosions". CNN. Retrieved September 14, 2018. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ a b Chantal Da Silva. "Boston Deadly Gas Explosion Latest: Everything to Know About 'Armageddon' Blast". Newsweek. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  6. ^ "'How did this happen?': Gas blasts set homes ablaze, triggering chaos in Massachusetts". Washington Post. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  7. ^ "More than 30 homes catch fire after natural gas issues north of Boston; 4 injured". USA Today. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "'It just looked like an absolute war zone': Andover crews respond to 38 fires after suspected gas main explosion". masslive.com. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "'It Looked Like Armageddon': 1 Dead After Gas Explosions, Fires". CBS. September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  10. ^ "Multiple Gas-Related Explosions, Fires Reported in Massachusetts". NBC 10 Philadelphia. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Multiple fires, gas explosions in Lawrence, Mass. area". Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  12. ^ "Panicked neighborhoods evacuate as gas blasts destroy homes". Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  13. ^ CNN, Melanie Schuman, Ray Sanchez and Pierre Meilhan,. "Gas explosions, fires reported in Massachusetts towns". CNN. Retrieved September 14, 2018. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Malone, Scott. "Suspected gas explosions rock towns near Boston, forcing evacuations". U.S. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  15. ^ a b c Darrah, Nicole (September 13, 2018). "Massachusetts suspected gas explosions hits dozens of homes and buildings, officials say". Fox News. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  16. ^ "Dozens of houses burn, explode after Columbia Gas pressure issue". WCVB. September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  17. ^ a b "Gas Explosions Rock Lawrence, Andover, N. Andover". Lowell Sun. September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  18. ^ Melissa Hanson (September 13, 2018). "Salem Waterfront Hotel offering remaining occupancy to anyone whose home was affected by fires, explosions in Lawrence and North Andover". MassLive. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  19. ^ Lisa Kashinsky lkashinsky (September 14, 2018). "Confusion reigns for fire, gas explosion evacuees". The Eagle Tribune. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  20. ^ a b Nicole Chavez and Ray Sanchez (September 14, 2018). "'It looked like Armageddon': Homes burn in Massachusetts towns after suspected gas explosions". CNN. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  21. ^ a b "Incident in Lawrence". www.columbiagasma.com. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  22. ^ Jordan Graham & Sean Philip Cotter (September 15, 2018). "Gov. Charlie Baker, Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera decry Columbia Gas' response to crisis". Boston Herald. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  23. ^ "State Of Emergency Declared; Lawrence Mayor Says Gas Company 'Hiding From The Problem'". September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  24. ^ "Lawrence, Andover, North Andover Incident Response". Eversource. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
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