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Feds to probe Valley disaster; Columbia Gas statement gives no cause for problem
By Jill Harmacinski and Kiera Blessing | Staff Writers
1 hr ago
Federal investigators are expected to be on the ground by noontime Friday to investigate a massive gas leak blamed for explosions, fires, evacuations, injuries and at least one death.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are now on their way to the Merrimack Valley, said NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt, in a televised press conference from Washington, D.C., Friday morning.
Sumwalt said the federal agency is investigating because a pipeline was involved and the design of the pipeline must be probed.
NTSB will be working alongside other local and state investigators, he said.
"We will be looking at many things. We might have information in the next few days," said Sumwalt, adding, however, the entire scope of the investigation could take a long time.
"We are there to investigate and find out what happened … to determine what happened so it won't happen again," said Sumwalt.
He stressed NTSB workers are not first responders. "We are here to conduct a safety investigation," he said.
Sumwalt said the NTSB will conduct local press briefings to keep everyone apprised of their efforts.
Columbia Gas warned of an "extended restoration effort" early Friday, promising to "work tirelessly" until service is restored.
The company, which made only a brief statement hours after the emergency began Thursday, still offered no explanation of what may have caused the disaster.
"Our thoughts are with the community and everyone impacted by yesterday’s tragic incident. We are focused on providing as much support as possible to our customers, residents and communities," the statement read. "We are grateful for the community’s patience, as well as the tremendous support we have received from our first responder and law enforcement partners."
As of 1 a.m. Friday, 80 crews, each with three members – a gas technician, a police officer and a firefighter – were going door to door to all 8,600 affected buildings and manually ensuring the gas was shut off. That effort continued in the daylight hours Friday.
Some 18,000 buildings in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover are still without power and schools were closed in all three communities after Thursday's natural gas explosions and fires.
Officials said it will be at least a day if not longer before many residents will be allowed to return to their homes. Police were out overnight and again Friday morning patrolling neighborhoods to look for looters and any other activity related to the evacuations and explosions.
Residents of the neighborhoods affected are being urged to stay away from their homes and instead use emergency shelters that are open in the communities. Those centers include schools.
Watch eagletribune.com for updates on this developing story.
Follow staff reporter Jill Harmacinski on Twitter @EagleTribJill.