https://www.wcvb.com/article/lawrence-ma...n/23120524

Quote:Authorities were responding to dozens of fires and explosions that are being blamed on a gas issue across the Merrimack Valley Thursday afternoon.

The Massachusetts State Fire Marshal's Office said it was sending three investigators to the Lawrence, Andover and North Andover area. They said they were responding to a high pressure gas line issue affecting multiple homes in the area.

Sky 5 was over several large fires affecting multiple homes near Chickering Road and Springfield Street in Lawrence. At least 12 structure fires were seen burning unattended because no fire crews were available to respond.

Another house on Chickering Road was reduced to a pile of rubble by an explosion.

Andover town officials are asking everyone in homes and businesses to evacuate.

Quote:Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera estimated there are between 20 and 25 fires across the city.

"If people smell gas, or see fire in/around home, evacuate," the mayor said.

North Andover Town Manager Andrew Mayor said there were many commercial properties affected across the city, with alarms going off in several buildings including First and Main Street. There were no immediate reports of injuries in his community.

Mayor said he was told the incidents were believed to be related to a spike in gas pressure.

Mutual aid has been called in from as far as Cape Ann and southern New Hampshire.

(09-13-2018 05:10 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  https://www.wcvb.com/article/lawrence-ma...n/23120524

Quote:Authorities were responding to dozens of fires and explosions that are being blamed on a gas issue across the Merrimack Valley Thursday afternoon.

The Massachusetts State Fire Marshal's Office said it was sending three investigators to the Lawrence, Andover and North Andover area. They said they were responding to a high pressure gas line issue affecting multiple homes in the area.

Sky 5 was over several large fires affecting multiple homes near Chickering Road and Springfield Street in Lawrence. At least 12 structure fires were seen burning unattended because no fire crews were available to respond.

Another house on Chickering Road was reduced to a pile of rubble by an explosion.

Andover town officials are asking everyone in homes and businesses to evacuate.

Quote:Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera estimated there are between 20 and 25 fires across the city.

"If people smell gas, or see fire in/around home, evacuate," the mayor said.

North Andover Town Manager Andrew Mayor said there were many commercial properties affected across the city, with alarms going off in several buildings including First and Main Street. There were no immediate reports of injuries in his community.

Mayor said he was told the incidents were believed to be related to a spike in gas pressure.

Mutual aid has been called in from as far as Cape Ann and southern New Hampshire.

Don't natural gas pipelines and distribution systems have pressure sensors that sound alarms and shut things down when you have an abnormally high pressure readings?

Unless it was Hacked...

(09-13-2018 08:20 PM)WoodlandsOwl Wrote:  Don't natural gas pipelines and distribution systems have pressure sensors that sound alarms and shut things down when you have an abnormally high pressure readings?

Unless it was Hacked...

They are supposed to.

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/Mul...88501.html

Quote:Andover officials said they struck a 10-alarm response, its maximum fire response. More than 50 fire vehicles and 10 ambulances responded. They said all 38 fires in their town have been extinguished.

Quote:Joseph Solomon, the police chief in nearby Methuen, said 20 to 25 homes were on fire in Lawrence. Solomon, who responded to Lawrence to help, said there are so many fires "you can't even see the sky."

Twelve to 14 fires were reported in North Andover, Town Manager Andrew Maylor said.

Quote:Massachusetts State Police said they have confirmed responses to over 70 different addresses in the three communities for fires, explosions or investigations, and said the number will grow. They said troopers are assisting with scene security and traffic control after "multiple suspected gas explosions and structure fires."

Quote:Andover is issuing an evacuation advisory for all residents and businesses. Anyone who knows how to safely turn off the gas service in their home or building is advised to do so. Some areas of North Andover and Lawrence are also being evacuated.

State police urged anyone in the three towns with Columbia Gas service to evacuate on Thursday afternoon, snarling traffic and causing widespread confusion as residents and local officials struggled to understand what was happening.

Quote:North Andover, Andover and Lawrence schools announced that they will be closed on Friday due to the ongoing gas issues. Lawrence court locations will also be closed.

Merrimac College in North Andover cancelled classes for the night and temporarily asked students to evacuate as a precaution while they turned the gas off. No incidents have been reported on campus.

All off-ramps on Interstate 495 from exits 41 through 45 have been shut down. On ramps will remain open to allow for evacuations. Interstate 93 northbound and southbound Exit 45 off ramps to River Road are also closed.

Quote:State police fire investigators, detectives and crime scene personnel are also at various scenes. The FBI said it is also aware of the situation and is coordinating with state and local partners. Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency staff are also on scene, and the National Transportation Safety Board said it is sending a team to the area on Friday morning.

MEMA blamed the fires on gas lines that had become over-pressurized, but officials who responded to the area were still investigating the cause.

This story is absolutely nuts.

I have a friend who was evacuated. His parents were evacuated as well. So far their homes haven't blown up.

Quote:One house in Lawrence exploded, sending the chimney flying. It crashed into a nearby car, fatally wounding a teenager who was inside. Leonel Rondon, 18, and two of his friends were in the car when the debris struck, his family told CNN affiliate WHDH. He later died at the hospital, authorities said.

There were terrorist threats months ago about hitting the utility grid.

Not saying they're connected...