Boston explosions: As many as 100 homes on fire
LAWRENCE, MASS. -
Multiple injuries have been reported and 60 to 100 homes are on fire in the Merrimack Valley, north of Boston, according to police. Fire and explosion investigators with the Massachusetts State Police are responding to reports of multiple structural fires in Lawrence, Massachusetts, following explosions. Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon says there are 20 to 25 homes on fire in Lawrence. Solomon, who’s in Lawrence, says there are so many fires “you can’t even see the sky.”
At least four people have been injured by fires and explosions. The Lawrence Mayor's office has confirmed these explosions and subsequent fires have been caused by over pressurized gas valves. The Columbia Gas company had announced earlier Thursday that it would be upgrading gas lines in neighborhoods across the state, including the area where the explosions happened. It was not clear whether work was happening there Thursday, and a spokeswoman did not immediately comment. Lawrence Police confirm at least two serious injuries have been reported. The FBI Boston office has reported there are no indications that this incident is related to terrorism.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said staff members were heading to Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, along with state fire investigator. The three communities house more than 146,000 residents about 26 miles north of Boston, near the New Hampshire border. Lawrence, the largest of them, is a majority Latino city with a population of about 80,000.
https://www.wsoctv.com/news/breaking-news/boston-explosions-as-many-as-100-homes-on-fire/833124388