String of gas explosions devastate US towns

US Editor A TEENAGER was killed and at least 10 people left injured after a series of violent gas explosions caused chaos in three towns north of Boston, Massachusetts.

The unexplained blasts left dozens of buildings smouldering and spread fire, creating a scene that was likened to “Armageddon” by one official.

Some 8,000 people were estimated to have been forced from their homes on Thursday night as the emergency services scrambled to contain the fallout. There was no immediate explanation, but witnesses reported smelling gas. One resident told The New York Times that her gas stove would not light, suggesting there may have been problems with the usual flow of gas.

At least 39 homes in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover were affected by the blasts, forcing entire neighbourhoods to evacuate.

The three communities house more than 146,000 residents about 26 miles north of Boston, near the New Hampshire border. Massachusetts State Police urged all residents with homes serviced by Columbia Gas in the three communities to evacuate.

Michael Mansfield, the Andover Fire Chief, said: “It looked like Armageddon, it really did. I could see pillars of smoke in front of me from the town of Andover.”

Leonel Rondon, 18, of Lawrence, died after a chimney toppled by an exploding house crashed into his car. There were at least 10 people injured, with one in critical condition.