An explosive investigation
Mass. probes disastrous gas blasts
Investigators on Friday were trying to figure out what caused a string of deadly natural-gas explosions and fires in three Boston suburbs that left some homes charred and others totally destroyed.
The governor of Massachusetts declared a state of emergency as hundreds of natural-gas technicians were slated to be deployed on the towns of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover — where more than 60 homes were ignited and thousands of people were displaced in the Thursday disaster.
“Once neighborhoods are cleared, the power can be restored,” Gov. Charlie Baker wrote in a tweet Friday.
“We ask for continued patience as this important work is done. Once utilities secure the affected areas, we will work with the federal government to investigate how this occurred and hold people accountable for their actions,” Baker added.
The Thursday catastrophe killed 18-year-old Lawrence resi- dent Leonel Rondon — who died after a falling chimney crashed into his car — as well as injuring 25 people and leaving dozens of homes in ruins.
“He was too young, too young to die,” Rondon’s uncle, Carlos Rondon, told The Washington Post of the teen. “He was just starting his life.”
Baker announced a state of emergency in the Merrimack Valley so that the state could take over recovery efforts. He noted that he’s putting in charge energy provider Eversource to manage the recovery effort after officials criticized utility company Columbia Gas, which services the area.
Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera blasted Columbia Gas on Friday, saying the company is “hiding from the problem.”
“The least informed and the last to act has been Columbia Gas,” Rivera said.
Columbia Gas of Massachu- setts President Steve Bryant told reporters Friday that the disaster is “the sort of thing that a gas distribution company hopes never happens.”
Firefighters in the three towns responded to about 150 emergency calls over a two-hour period Thursday, according to Baker.
Andover Fire Chief Michael Mansfield described the scene, saying “it looked like Armageddon.”