NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.—
Four gas cylinders that likely fell off a truck forced the closure of the portion of Route 114 that runs along Merrimack College for around two hours Monday afternoon.
North Andover police Chief Charles Gray said two cylinders contained acetylene, a flammable gas used for welding, while the other two had nitrogen. Some of them appeared to be leaking, he said.
The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Hazardous Materials Response team sent two trucks to the scene and worked with North Andover police and firefighters to safely remove the cylinders and clear the highway.
The road closure caused a traffic jam for commuters who were trying to get home.
The cylinders were strewn across the eastbound side of Route 114. Lynnell Schield of Salem, New Hampshire, saw them while she was traveling in the opposite direction to get to a dental appointment in North Andover shortly before 3 p.m.
"They literally rolled across the road," she said.
Vehicles were attempting to navigate around the cylinders, she said, adding, "That was really dangerous."
Merrimack College sent out a message to students and staff saying the campus was safe.
Police closed the section of Route 114 between Andover Road and the Andover Bypass at around 3:45 p.m. North Andover Engine 2 was stationed near the cylinders, ready to hose them down in case they ignited, according to fire Lt. Timothy McGuire. Engine 1 and an ambulance were also sent as a precaution.
Two troopers assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad, wearing helmets and protective suits, placed the two cylinders containing acetylene in the back of a North Andover Division of Public Works truck. They wrapped the cylinders in bomb blankets and placed them upright.
Two cylinders containing nitrogen, a less hazardous gas, were put in another truck by Massachusetts Department of Transportation workers.
The highway was reopened at 5:45 p.m. While the cylinders probably dropped from a truck, no driver reported reported they fell from his or her vehicle, according to Lt. E.J. Foulds, spokesman for the North Andover Police Department.
The police are investigating to find out why the cylinders fell on a busy highway and who is responsible, he said.
"We will work toward that end," Foulds said.
Most likely, they fell off a welder's truck.
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Tanks fall from truck, prompt hazmat response in North Andover
Nathalie Pozo
NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. (WHDH) -
A busy section of Route 114 in North Andover was shut down during the height of Monday’s evening commute after acetylene and nitrogen tanks fell off a truck near Merrimack College, officials said.
The need for a hazmat response prompted officials to close the east and westbound sides of the road between the Route 125 Bypass and Wilson’s Corner for about two hours, according to the North Andover Police Department.
Four tanks in total fell from the truck, two of which were leaking, officials said.
Video from the scene showed crews loading the tanks into the back of a dump truck for transport.
Heavy traffic built up in the area but Route 114 has since been reopened.