Massachusetts State Police urged all residents with homes serviced by Columbia Gas in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover to evacuate Thursday afternoon, snarling traffic and causing widespread confusion as residents and local officials struggled to understand what was happening. State officials said Columbia Gas was working to ease pressure on gas lines following the fires. Columbia had announced earlier Thursday that it would be upgrading gas lines in neighborhoods across the state, including the area where the explosions happened. In North Andover, town selectman Phil Decologero said his entire neighborhood had gathered in the street, afraid to enter their homes. “It’s pretty severe.”Arial footage of the area showed some homes that appeared to be torn apart by blasts.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 14, 2018 00:00 UTC