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Multiple gas explosions, fires reported in Lawrence and Andover, Mass.

NihonTiger

NihonTiger

Member
Oct 25, 2017
10,506
UPDATE: There are 20+ fires going on right now in three Massachusetts cities in the Merrimack Valley -- Lawrence, Andover and North Andover. Does not appear to be terrorism related at all but instead a problem with pressure pushing gas into homes or gas feeds blowing out and something sparking fires and explosions in those homes.

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/Multiple-Fires-Reported-in-Lawrence-Mass-493188501.html

Emergency crews are responding to reports of gas-related multiple explosions and fires in three communities in the Merrimack Valley region on Thursday afternoon.

The Eagle-Tribune newspaper reports that at least one home has been destroyed and several others have caught fire amid a problem with a gas line that feeds homes in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Lawrence Fire said they are responding to multiple incidents in the city where residents called saying there was a problem with the gas line in their house. Multiple fires have been reported.

Lawrence police Chief Roy Vasque told The Eagle-Tribune that he's "never seen anything like this."

The newspaper reported that some neighborhoods were being evacuated.

The state fire marshal said they are sending multiple fire investigators to the Lawrence/North Andover area for a report of a high pressure gas main explosion that is impacting multiple houses. They said fires and explosions have been reported.

There is no word yet on whether anyone has been injured.

Massachusetts State Police said they are on scene and additional troopers are responding to Lawrence, Andover and North Andover to assist with scene security and traffic control after "multiple suspected gas explosions and structure fires."

Columbia Gas says they have multiple crews headed to Lawrence and North Andover to assess the situation. They are asking anyone who smells gas to leave the area, and to avoid turning lights on or off, opening or closing doors or using cell or landline phones. Once they leave the area, they can call the Columbia Gas Emergency Line at 800-525-8222.
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Livestream: https://whdh.com/on-air-live-stream

This is absolute chaos right now. They're having everyone who lives in south Lawrence and northern Andover evacuate their homes right now. And of course it's rush hour so 495 and 93 are going to be even more of a mess than usual.
 
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I_D

I_D

Member
Oct 27, 2017
572
The live-stream says it's at least 20 explosions. They also clarified that gas-explosions are their only suspicion (implying nothing terrorist-related).


Hope everybody makes it out okay.
 
Lukar

Lukar

Unshakable Resolve - Prophet of Truth
Member
Oct 27, 2017
23,346
Jesus. I really hope not many people are hurt.
 
andylsun

andylsun

Member
Oct 29, 2017
203
AccordIng to WCVB, over pressure in a gas main has blown out gas feeds in multiple buildings in multiple towns. I imagine there are people who may not even know until they get home.

Edit: Columbia Gas is reported as the supplier with the issue. They have 51,000 customers according to the news.
 
Sonicbug

Sonicbug

Member
Oct 26, 2017
1,409
The Void, MA
This is like every news channel right now. There are houses just burning to the ground because there are literally not enough crews to deal with the situation. Crazy. (This is why I'm afraid of gas lines.)
 
Linkura

Linkura

Member
Oct 25, 2017
19,943
Commedieu said:
are these pretty populated areas?
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Yes. Lawrence is a city, with a lot of underserved and minorities.

Andover/N. Andover are more surburban.

What in god's holy name is going on

Andover is a little over 15 miles from me. This is fucked. I also have gas lines. Shiiiiiiiit. I should be fine as we're several towns away, but man, this is so fucked that it could happen at all.
 
Cyanity

Cyanity

Member
Oct 25, 2017
9,345
This is insane, and happening right in the middle of Boston rush hour. They're literally evacuating the towns right now. Please stay safe, local boston peeps :c
 
Irminsul

Irminsul

Member
Oct 25, 2017
3,033
andylsun said:
AccordIng to WCVB, over pressure in a gas main has blown out gas feeds in multiple buildings in multiple towns. I imagine there are people who may not even know until they get home.
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I just wanted to ask how the hell there can be more than 20 simultaneous gas explosions. I don't think I've ever heard of something like this.
 
OP
OP
NihonTiger

NihonTiger

Member
Oct 25, 2017
10,506
Sonicbug said:
This is like every news channel right now. There are houses just burning to the ground because there are literally not enough crews to deal with the situation. Crazy. (This is why I'm afraid of gas lines.)
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Yeah, they've called in every fire department from miles around, both Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Cyanity said:
This is insane, and happening right in the middle of Boston rush hour. They're literally evacuating the towns right now. Please stay safe, local boston peeps :c
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495 is going to be even more of a shitshow than it already is. It runs straight through the are they're trying to evacuate and everyone's being told to get on there if they can.
 
andylsun

andylsun

Member
Oct 29, 2017
203
Evacuations for everyone in 3 towns that gets service from Columbia gas

Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.
 

Deleted member 6949

User requested account closure
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Oct 25, 2017
7,786
NihonTiger said:
This is absolute chaos right now. They're having everyone who lives in south Lawrence and northern Andover evacuate their homes right now. And of course it's rush hour so 495 and 93 are going to be even more of a mess than usual.
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You might be a Masshole if houses are exploding and you're still worried about the traffic on 495.
 
redshoepaul

redshoepaul

PM Studios
Verified
Oct 25, 2017
173
Los Angeles, CA
I'm in Andover and can hear all the helicopters and activity. Our complex is good and we don't need to evacuate but I'm following it all on Twitter for the most part. If any ERA people in the area have to evacuate and need a place to go, PM me.
 
studyguy

studyguy

Member
Oct 26, 2017
11,282
50+ fires now
http://www.eagletribune.com/news/up...cle_900f6622-b795-11e8-9830-73ead08331b4.html

image0.jpg

From earlier.

Imagine being the gas company that was changing gas lines and you basically end up blowing up a town.
The Columbia Gas website said in a posting dated Thursday, "We'll be upgrading natural gas lines in neighborhoods across the state."
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One caller to the newspaper said he didn't know how to shut off the gas and could not reach fire or police personnel. "I had a hard time believing it was an authentic emergency message," said Ben Bolinski of Radcliff Drive in Andover.
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Arc

Arc

The Fallen
Oct 25, 2017
4,502
They need to shut off the gas if possible. This is really close to my old office, I hope my former coworkers from the area are all ok
 
thefit

thefit

Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,243
Wow I thought meters where there to manage/shut off pressure. Now I gotta go check mine.
 
Ruprit

Ruprit

Member
Oct 25, 2017
196
MA
Hey, I live in Andover!

It was really odd getting this vague automated message to turn off your gas and evacuate immediately. Luckily, I'm on oil. It's been crazy watching the footage. Hoping for as few injuries as possible.
 
Citizencope

Citizencope

Member
Oct 28, 2017
6,201
Just spoke to my friend in Andover. Family of five have evacuated.
Scary stuff. I work with gas all day and we actually had a decent size fire a decade ago. Crazy seeing houses knocked off their foundations.
 
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