In a scene a local fire chief likened to "Armageddon," several dozen homes in the towns of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover Massachusetts suddenly exploded or erupted in flame due to an apparently over-pressurized natural gas utility system. CBS Boston reports:
Large sections of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover were evacuated Thursday afternoon after a series of gas explosions and fires. Here is the latest:
• An 18-year-old man died. At least 25 people injured
• 13 people were treated at Lawrence General Hospital, all but 1 have been released
• 60-80 fires and 3 explosions, according to MEMA
• The issue is related to a high pressure gas main, possibly over-pressurized
• MEMA has no further information on the cause yet
• An estimated 8,500 gas meters in that region, served by Columbia Gas, were affected; multi-unit homes have multiple gas meters
• 3,500 meters were checked overnight, according to MEMA
