Settlement in gas explosions worth $143M

LAWRENCE, Mass. — A series of class-action lawsuits stemming from natural gas explosions in Massachusetts has been settled for $143 million, the utility blamed for the disaster and lawyers for the plaintiffs announced Monday.

The settlement is subject to the approval of a judge, according to Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, and its parent, Nisource Inc.

The explosions and fires in the Merrimack Valley communities of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover on Sept. 13 killed one person, injured about 25 others, and damaged or destroyed more than 100 buildings. Many people were forced into temporary shelter, and thousands of homes and businesses went without natural gas service for weeks and even months during the winter.

The explosions were blamed on an overpressurization of gas transmission lines during routine replacement.

The agreement announced Monday is separate from an $80 million settlement reached in May with the three communities to address infrastructure damage.

It is also separate from settlements with two families.

In July, Columbia settled with the family of Leonel Rondon, 18, who died when a chimney collapsed on his vehicle.

In April, the utility settled with the Figueroa family, of Lawrence. Several members were injured and their home was heavily damaged. Details of the Rondon and Figueroa settlements have not been made public.

“I don’t think anything can ever be fair to a community where so many people lost family members, lost homes, lost livelihoods,” Republican Gov. Charlie Baker said about whether the settlement was fair.

Baker added that victims were well-represented in negotiations with the utility, “and if they believe that was a deal worth signing, I’m going to side with them on that.”