 |
| Leonel Rondon, 18, was killed and at least 12 others were injured after one of the gas explosions sent a chimney crashing onto his car in LAWRENCE, Mass. |
NTSB Go Team expects to remain on scene for a least a week.
As is routine in NTSB investigations, a review of the emergency response of the operator and local first responders will be conducted.
Among issues being examined in NTSB investigation are design of pipeline system, any upgrades made to the system, and the operator’s management of the pipeline.
NTSB investigators are gathering perishable evidence from the accident site and gathering information from other federal, state, and local agencies, and Columbia Gas.
NTSB sending a Go-Team to pipeline explosion in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Team will travel this morning.
=====================================
1 killed, 12 injured in fires, explosions after suspected gas leak in LAWRENCE, Massachusetts.
NiSource Inc. is one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States, serving approximately 3.5 million natural gas customers and 500,000 electric customers across seven states through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. The company, based in Merrillville, Indiana, United States, has more than 8,000 employees.
By JULIA JACOBO
Karma Allen Sep 14, 2018, 1:53 AM ET
WCVB/APComing upMassachusetts firefighters battle flames from suspected gas explosions
LAWRENCE, Mass.
One person died and about a dozen others were injured in Massachusetts on Thursday as a series of gas-related fires and explosions tore through several communities, authorities said.
Eighteen-year-old Leonel Rondon was killed and at least 12 others were injured in Northern Massachusetts as fires and explosions tore the area, damaging at least two dozen homes and businesses, according to local authorities.
Rondon, a resident of Lawrence, was killed after one of the explosions sent a chimney crashing onto his car, Massachusetts State Police said.
The Associated PressFirefighters battle a house fire, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, on Herrick Road in North Andover, Mass., one of multiple emergency crews responding to a series of gas explosions and fires triggered by a problem with a gas line that feeds homes There had been at least three explosions and as many as 80 fires reported as of late Thursday night, authorities said, citing a suspected gas line leak as the cause.
Many residents, including those located in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, were forced to evacuate.
At least 30 homes and businesses caught fire in Andover, and active fires were reported in Lawrence as of early Friday morning, several hours after initial reports surfaced, fire officials said.
“Our city has had a rough day today,” the city of Lawrence said in a statement early Friday morning. “We grieve for the loss ... and continue to support first responders."
The Massachusetts State Police Watch Center said it responded to explosions, fires and other gas-related reports at least 70 different addresses. The state’s governor said about 8,000 homes were affected.
Three victims in Andover included included a firefighter and two civilians, authorities said.
Evacuations were taking place in multiple neighborhoods where residents smelled gas, according to state police. Those who live south of the Merrimack River were told to evacuate, Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera said at a press conference Thursday night.
The Associated PressIn this image take from video provided by WCVB in Boston, firefighters battle a raging house fire in Lawrence, Mass, a suburb of Boston, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Emergency crews are responding to what they believe is a series of gas explosions. 
The Associated PressIn this image take from video provided by WCVB in Boston, flames consume the roof of a home in Lawrence, Mass, a suburb of Boston, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Emergency crews are responding to what they believe is a series of gas explosions Authorities also warned residents in the area who are served by Columbia Gas to "evacuate their homes immediately" as gas lines are being depressurized by the company.
Aerial footage taken by ABC Boston affiliate WCVB showed firefighters battling flames in a residential neighborhood that sent thick plumes of smoke into the air.
The Associated PressIn this image take from video provided by WCVB in Boston, flames consume a home in Lawrence, Mass, a suburb of Boston, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Emergency crews are responding to what they believe is a series of gas explosions that have damaged homesmore + 
WCVB/APFlames rise from a house in Lawrence, Mass., Sept. 13, 2018. Residents in Andover were evacuated to a local senior center, while residents in North Andover were directed to a nearby middle school.
======================================
LAWRENCE, Mass. —
10:55 p.m.
Authorities say an 18-year-old man has died after a house exploded amid gas explosions north of Boston, sending a chimney crashing into his car.
Officials have identified the victim as Leonel Rondon, of Lawrence. They say he was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he died around 8:30 p.m. EDT of his injuries.
Gov. Charlie Baker says 10 other people were injured Thursday in a series of fires and explosions that authorities blame on over-pressurized natural gas lines.
------
9:15 p.m.
The company that owns Columbia Gas says its crews are performing safety checks after a series of fires and explosions erupted in three communities north of Boston, but did not explain what went wrong.
A statement from Indiana-based NiSource says its "thoughts are with everyone affected by today's incident" and that it appreciates the response from local emergency crews.
NiSource Inc. is one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States, serving approximately 3.5 million natural gas customers and 500,000 electric customers across seven states through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. The company, based in Merrillville, Indiana, United States, has more than 8,000 employees.
State and local officials said at a news conference minutes earlier that they had still not heard from Columbia Gas following the fires in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover. Gov. Charlie Baker later clarified that he thought the company's response was "adequate."
Authorities are blaming over-pressurized gas lines and previously told all residents with Columbia Gas service in those areas to evacuate.
At least six people were injured in the fires and explosions, including two in critical condition.
___
8:20 p.m.
Officials say at least six people have been injured in a series of fires and explosions north of Boston that authorities blame on over-pressurized natural gas lines.
Lawrence General Hospital says it's treating six patients from the gas explosions including two in critical condition.
Officials in Andover previously said at least three people, including a firefighter, had been injured in the town. It was not immediately clear if those were separate from the victims treated at Lawrence General.
State Police say at least 39 fires erupted Thursday afternoon in the communities of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.
Electricity is being cut to residents in all three communities as crews work to prevent further damage.
Officials in all three areas said school will be canceled on Friday.
Phil Marcelo
___
7:30 p.m.
Officials in Andover, Massachusetts, say at least three people, including a firefighter, have been injured in the town after a series of fires that authorities blame on a natural gas issue.
It was not immediately clear whether those injured were different from the four victims with fire-related injuries taken to Lawrence General Hospital.
Andover officials say in a statement that all 35 fires in the town have been extinguished.
At the peak of the situation, they say 18 fires were burning at the same time in Andover.
State Police say at least 39 fires erupted Thursday afternoon in the communities of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.
-0:40
___
7:15 p.m.
A man whose neighborhood was among dozens that erupted in fire in communities north of Boston says he ran into his basement to find that the room was glowing.
Lawrence resident Ra Nam says he was in his yard when the smoke detector in his basement went off around 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
Nam says he ran downstairs and saw that his boiler was on fire. He says he quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher and put it out.
Minutes later, Nam says he heard a loud boom come from his neighbor's house and the ground shook. Nam said a woman and two kids had made it out of the house, but the basement was on fire.
Massachusetts State Police say officials will be shutting off power to all residents in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.
___
6:55 p.m.
At least four people are being treated for injuries after a series of fires north of Boston that authorities blame on a natural gas issue.
Lawrence General Hospital says it has treated four victims with fire-related injuries but did not immediately release their conditions or the severity of the injuries.
State Police say at least 39 fires erupted Thursday afternoon in the communities of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.
Residents in those areas with homes that are serviced by Columbia gas have been urged to evacuate.
State Police say Columbia Gas crews are working to depressurize gas lines in the area. A spokeswoman for the company did not immediately return calls.
The three communities house more than 146,000 residents and are located about 26 miles (42 kilometers) north of Boston.
-0:58
___
6:45 p.m.
Authorities in Massachusetts say a natural gas issue is to blame for at least 39 fires that erupted in homes across communities north of Boston.
A spokesman for the Andover Police Department says residents in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover whose homes are serviced by Columbia Gas were urged to evacuate on Thursday afternoon.
Massachusetts State Police say Columbia Gas is working to depressurize gas lines in the area. A company spokeswoman did not immediately provide comment.
State Police say they have confirmed fires at 39 locations but warn the number will grow.
The three communities house more than 146,000 residents and are located about 26 miles (42 kilometers) north of Boston.
Police Chief Joseph Solomon in nearby Methuen says there are so many fires "you can't even see the sky."
___
5:10 p.m.
Emergency crews are responding to what they believe is a series of gas explosions that have damaged homes across three communities north of Boston.
Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon says there are 20 to 25 homes on fire in Lawrence. Solomon, who's in Lawrence, says there are so many fires "you can't even see the sky."
The Eagle-Tribune newspaper in North Andover reports 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 State Police say troopers are responding to the area to help secure areas after "multiple suspected gas explosions."
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.
It was not immediately clear whether there were any injuries.