‘Armageddon’ blasts in Boston

A SERIES of gas explosions described as “Armageddon” have killed a teenager, injured at least 10 other people and ignited fires in at least 39 homes in three communities north of Boston.

Authorities said Leonel Rondon, 18, of Lawrence, died after a chimney toppled by an exploding house crashed into his car. He was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead.

Massachusetts State Police urged all residents with homes serviced by Columbia Gas in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover to evacuate.

“It looked like Armageddon,” Andover Fire Chief Michael Mansfield told reporters.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency blamed the fires on over-pressurised gas lines but said investigators were still examining what happened.