Firefighters responded to 60 to 80 fires following gas explosions in Mass.
UPDATE: 9/14/2018 8:46 a.m. The head of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency says firefighters responded to 60 to 80 structure fires in the three communities affected by a series of natural gas of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency says firefighters responded to 60 to 80 structure fires in the three communities affected by a series of natural gas explosions.
Kurt Schwartz said Friday that firefighters in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover responded to about 150 emergency calls Thursday.
He says about 400 people spent the night in emergency shelters and no additional natural gas-related emergencies have been reported Friday.
The exact cause of the fires and explosions remains under investigation.
Gov. Charlie Baker said hundreds of natural gas technicians have been deployed throughout the area to go house by house to ensure they are safe.
The Republican governor says he realizes the situation is a “massive inconvenience” but asked for patience.
An 18-year-old man died and at least 25 people were injured in the fires and explosions.
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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 demolished 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.
