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smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 06:41 PM Sep 2018

Multiple Suspected Gas Explosions In Lawrence, Andover And North Andover

Source: CBS News, Boston Local

LAWRENCE (CBS) – Residents in three communities north of Boston are being asked to evacuate their homes after there were multiple explosions and fires.

An issue with a high pressure gas main has affected Lawrence, North Andover and Andover. Anyone who has gas service from Columbia Gas is being told to leave their homes until further notice.

“What we know is that there have been multiple explosions, multiple fires that are happening across the city,” Rivera told WBZ. “What we need folks to do is that if it’s happening in your home, you have a funny smell, just evacuate, come out to the street.”

WBZ-TV’s Kristina Rex says Andover Police sent out an automated phone call telling residents to evacuate their homes and turn off the gas."



Read more: https://boston.cbslocal.com/2018/09/13/lawrence-fires-explosions-gas-main/



Just got home and turned on the local news to this. They are saying up to 50 structures are on fire from gas explosions in the area. People have been asked to evacuate their homes. Apparently it is some kind of issue with the gas pressure building up in the pipe lines. There is so much smoke that you can't even see the sky.

I haven't heard of any deaths yet, just injuries, but the situation is still developing. Very tragic.
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Multiple Suspected Gas Explosions In Lawrence, Andover And North Andover (Original Post) smirkymonkey Sep 2018 OP
I just heard about this an hour ago PatSeg Sep 2018 #1
I know! Can you imagine if homes just started blowing up all over your smirkymonkey Sep 2018 #3
It must be like being in a war zone, PatSeg Sep 2018 #9
CNN has a map up on their site curlyred Sep 2018 #2
It's quite widespread. smirkymonkey Sep 2018 #5
Just now. sheshe2 Sep 2018 #11
Wow! It's out of control! smirkymonkey Sep 2018 #13
The news is coming so fast, just heard electricity cut... sheshe2 Sep 2018 #15
They are depressurizing the gas lines, but that takes a lot of time. n/t dixiegrrrrl Sep 2018 #27
This may be related to a labor dispute? flyingfysh Sep 2018 #4
Interesting. That is the first I have heard of this. smirkymonkey Sep 2018 #8
i saw a blurb somewhere barbtries Sep 2018 #17
Here, maybe this is it LisaM Sep 2018 #20
Serious bad news. Mopar151 Sep 2018 #32
8 people died in the San Bruno, California, gas pipeline explosion in 2010 Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2018 #6
That was the only story PatSeg Sep 2018 #7
Home gas lines are supposed to be just a few psi of pressure truthisfreedom Sep 2018 #10
I worked for one of the gas transportation companies some decades ago Xipe Totec Sep 2018 #12
This is why I don't want a gas stove. LisaM Sep 2018 #14
Your city home may still have an old gas line. rickford66 Sep 2018 #16
I'm actually in an apartment now LisaM Sep 2018 #19
LP doesn't suffer from this problem. eggplant Sep 2018 #24
Even without gas lines blowing up I don't trust gas appliances csziggy Sep 2018 #28
Almost No Appliances Have Pilot Lights Anymore ProfessorGAC Sep 2018 #37
bookmarking for comment later mahatmakanejeeves Sep 2018 #39
My experience was nearly forty five years ago csziggy Sep 2018 #40
I Wasn't Disputing It, Ziggy ProfessorGAC Sep 2018 #41
Gas stoves scare the hell out of me. dewsgirl Sep 2018 #30
I photographed a similar incident 45 years ago in London, Ontario in Canada The_jackalope Sep 2018 #18
25 to 30 miles north of Boston is where this is. Stuart G Sep 2018 #21
Centralia, MO Strelnikov_ Sep 2018 #22
Are gas grids managed like electric grids - by software? bucolic_frolic Sep 2018 #23
good question, I think this may help elmac Sep 2018 #25
Thanks, sounds like parts of them are - regulators, some remotely controlled bucolic_frolic Sep 2018 #26
cyber attack info elmac Sep 2018 #29
That is pretty terrifying. smirkymonkey Sep 2018 #31
Updated story: Merrimack Valley Explosions: What We Know Rhiannon12866 Sep 2018 #33
This will take a long time to fix. KY_EnviroGuy Sep 2018 #34
One dead in Massachusetts after gas explosions ignite dozens of fires Eugene Sep 2018 #35
A cautionary tale for everyone. We live nearby this disaster and are anxiously following FailureToCommunicate Sep 2018 #36
Thank you for the update and information. May I ask for one more update? MissMillie Sep 2018 #38
It still looks like off ramps are closed at Mass Ave (N. Andover), Salem Tpk, and Rt 28 in FailureToCommunicate Sep 2018 #42
I went to prep school for two years in North Andover... brooklynite Sep 2018 #43
Update Saturday: New gas leak reported after explosions in Massachusetts Rhiannon12866 Sep 2018 #44

PatSeg

(46,559 posts)
1. I just heard about this an hour ago
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 06:45 PM
Sep 2018

My son and his wife know people who live in the area.

I've never heard of anything quite like it. Really terrifying.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
3. I know! Can you imagine if homes just started blowing up all over your
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 06:56 PM
Sep 2018

neighborhood? What a nightmare!

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
5. It's quite widespread.
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 06:58 PM
Sep 2018

I've never seen anything like this. It's amazing that there are no reported fatalities yet.

sheshe2

(83,128 posts)
11. Just now.
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 07:31 PM
Sep 2018

60-100 fires now. Lawrence, Andover, No Andover...possibly two more. All electricity to be cut in the first three towns.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
13. Wow! It's out of control!
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 07:35 PM
Sep 2018

I thought they cut the gas lines too? Are the fires spreading from home to home? Those poor people. I can't imagine what a nightmare it must be for them.

sheshe2

(83,128 posts)
15. The news is coming so fast, just heard electricity cut...
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 07:46 PM
Sep 2018

And they keep cutting to Florence. No...I don't think it is spreading home to home. Individual explosions.

The east coast is fire and water right now. Dear Goddess!

flyingfysh

(1,990 posts)
4. This may be related to a labor dispute?
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 06:57 PM
Sep 2018

I heard that the gas company locked out workers as part of a contract dispute, and brought in temporary workers. If so, the replacements may not have known what they were doing. I haven't found any links with the facts about that yet.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
8. Interesting. That is the first I have heard of this.
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 07:07 PM
Sep 2018

Looks like a major lawsuit could be in the gas company's future.

barbtries

(28,689 posts)
17. i saw a blurb somewhere
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 07:50 PM
Sep 2018

said high pressure lines being attached to low pressure homes. coulda been twitter

LisaM

(27,748 posts)
20. Here, maybe this is it
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 08:04 PM
Sep 2018

https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2018/06/26/national-grid-locks-out-more-than-1-000-gas.html



Steel unions Local 12003 and Local 12012 said National Grid failed to negotiate "a fair contract that recognizes the crucial services these workers provide across Massachusetts." The locked out gas workers cover more than 85 cities and towns across Massachusetts.

"National Grid continues to push proposals that threaten public safety and drive down wages. The proposed cuts come as National Grid seeks tens of millions of dollars from Massachusetts consumers in its upcoming rate case, and as the company received a major tax cut from the Trump Administration," union spokespeople said in a statement.

The unions argues that any replacement of experienced gas workers with outside contractors, whether temporarily for a lockout or long-term, poses a safety threat to the public due to the dangerous nature of working with live gas lines.

National Grid said in a statement that "safe and reliable natural gas service will continue" despite the lockout.

Mopar151

(9,954 posts)
32. Serious bad news.
Fri Sep 14, 2018, 12:21 AM
Sep 2018

National Grid was pretty good at making houses fly with their regular crews. How many of the lockouts are working for the contractors, how many useless moron not-quite-strikebreakers?

PatSeg

(46,559 posts)
7. That was the only story
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 07:07 PM
Sep 2018

I can recall that was similar. This seems more widespread and all people in the area who are customers of this gas company are told to evacuate.

truthisfreedom

(23,108 posts)
10. Home gas lines are supposed to be just a few psi of pressure
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 07:13 PM
Sep 2018

I can’t imagine what would happen if the pressure delivered to homes suddenly shot up!

Xipe Totec

(43,866 posts)
12. I worked for one of the gas transportation companies some decades ago
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 07:31 PM
Sep 2018

We had a line blow up in Katy, Tx. There was a pillar of fire coming from the site of the explosion that was 100s of feet high. There's so much gas on the lines, and at such high pressure, that almost an hour elapsed before the pipeline pressure monitors began to register a drop in pressure.

The gas is compressed to near the triple point for methane, meaning the gas is close to the solid, liquid, and gaseous state. Any water vapor in the line instantly combines with the gas to form a solid methane hydrate.

The pressure on those lines is mind boggling.

LisaM

(27,748 posts)
14. This is why I don't want a gas stove.
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 07:41 PM
Sep 2018

I know they're great to cook on, and I have, but I have nightmares about situations like this.

How's that de-regulation going, Trump?

rickford66

(5,491 posts)
16. Your city home may still have an old gas line.
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 07:47 PM
Sep 2018

My parent's old house (built around 1860's) had old lines for gas lights in the walls. They appeared to be just capped off. They still had a gas water heater and clothes dryer so I assume there was gas in those old lines.

csziggy

(34,115 posts)
28. Even without gas lines blowing up I don't trust gas appliances
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 09:46 PM
Sep 2018

One place I rented, the pilot light would not stay lit on the stove. I was told to light a wooden match, put it next to the hole to light the oven, and close the door. Well, when I did that the oven blew up! Not actually, but it filled up with gas, then caught, and blew the door out. In that small kitchen the prep counter was close enough that the door hit me in the hip and I had a huge bruise for a couple of weeks.

I have not lived in a home with gas appliances since. The house we built ten years ago is entirely electric and since we're in the country there are no gas lines within ten miles. I feel much safer now.

ProfessorGAC

(64,184 posts)
37. Almost No Appliances Have Pilot Lights Anymore
Fri Sep 14, 2018, 07:33 AM
Sep 2018

We are all gas. Stove, dryer, water heater, home heat. They're are all spark ignited. When the demand valve opens a sparker fires. A thermocouple reads a rise in heat (meaning there is a live heater fire) and the sparker turns off.

There is timer in the logic that if the thermocouple doesn't detect heat within a few seconds, it shuts the gas valve again.

Some of our stuff is "newish" but the water heater is at least 15 years old and it works the same way.

The concern you expressed, completely valid, has been engineered out of most systems like that today.

csziggy

(34,115 posts)
40. My experience was nearly forty five years ago
Fri Sep 14, 2018, 11:32 AM
Sep 2018

Long before the spark ignited technology was introduced to home appliances.

And that stove was much older than that. When my roommate moved into that rental house, there was no stove in the kitchen. He found that one in the backyard, brought it in and with the help of friends cleaned it up. Mostly it worked, but I never used it again - made do with the hot plate and toaster over I had used in the dorm.

I already had a nervousness about fire - as a child I had gotten third degree burns on one foot. Between that and the stove incident I want no fires in my house!

ProfessorGAC

(64,184 posts)
41. I Wasn't Disputing It, Ziggy
Fri Sep 14, 2018, 11:42 AM
Sep 2018

I've heard of it happening as well. It's one of the reasons why manufacturers started engineering solutions. Trying to prevent bummers like what you experienced.

Even before sparkers or silica carbide hotspots, they started doing things like adding a mercury capsule where the heat of the pilot expanded the fluid enough to conduct a voltage. If that voltage failed (because no pilot heat, no conductance) the fail closed gas valve would shut. Some even used a bimetal that would shrink with no heat and mechanically pull back a bobbitt that would shut off the gas.

Those sort of things are still on the pilotless systems too to prevent the gas from flowing if there is no spark or hotspot.

Was just commenting that the kind of thing you experienced if far less likely because of these added safety features. That said, nothing is impossible.

Last point: Another problem is pilot lights is that they are waste of gas. The thing is burning 24/365. But, there is no real benefit from it. At least with the newer systems, there is zero gas flowing until one is actually using the range or oven.

The_jackalope

(1,660 posts)
18. I photographed a similar incident 45 years ago in London, Ontario in Canada
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 07:56 PM
Sep 2018
http://londonfirefighters.ca/gas-explosions/

The Oxford Park Gas Explosions of August 7, 1973.

While doing some repair work in this west London neighbourhood, a backhoe operator accidentally destroyed a gas line regulator. The increased pressure turned furnaces and gas stoves in neighbouring homes into bombs. Ten houses exploded and burned while an additional 40 were damaged. 3,000 homes were evacuated. Miraculously, there were no fatalities. PHOTO: From the book, The History of the London Fire Department: Heroes, Helmets and Hoses

I went into the neighborhood after the fires were out. It was eerie, seeing empty basements with bare, blackened stairways coming up out of them.

Strelnikov_

(7,772 posts)
22. Centralia, MO
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 08:59 PM
Sep 2018
http://www.gendisasters.com/missouri/18442/centralia-mo-natural-gas-line-explosions-jan-1982

A state of emergency was in effect today after 28 homes and businesses burst into flames within seconds when the pressure in a natural gas line was kicked up accidentally, causing water heaters and furnaces to spit fire like
"blowtorches." Five people were injured Thursday in the fires, which started after a gas line regulator was hit by a backhoe at the power company.
. . .

Bill Hollander, a retired engineer, said "gas jets were blowing all over town ... those pilot lights were blowing like blowtorches."

The accident occurred when ALVIN JACOBS, a longtime city employee, was operating a backhoe whith a three-man crew near a Missouri Power and Light Co. building that houses our of four pressure regulators for the town's natural gas system, Knowles said.
The backhoe struck a gas line regulator, allowing high-pressure natural gas to shoot through low-pressure lines into homes across town. Although the high pressure may have caused some houses to explode, most caught fire when the flames shot out of water heaters and furnaces, authorities said. "I don't think anybody knew what was happening for a while," said Barney Wainscott, who had one son lose his home and another lose his insurance office.

"It seemed like everywhere you went there was a fire on either side of you," he said.
"We got that first call, and within minutes, maybe seconds, there were so many calls the phones couldn't handle it."
One of the 125 firefighters called from surrounding towns to fight the blazes said it
"was like somebody decided to make a movie about a whole town burning down."

 

elmac

(4,642 posts)
25. good question, I think this may help
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 09:37 PM
Sep 2018

The gate, where the local gas company distributes the gas,

The Distribution System
From the gate station, natural gas moves into distribution lines or "mains" that range from 2 inches to more than 24 inches in diameter. Within each distribution system, there are sections that operate at different pressures, with regulators controlling the pressure. Some regulators are remotely controlled by the utility to change pressures in parts of the system to optimize efficiency. Generally speaking, the closer natural gas gets to a customer, the smaller the pipe diameter is and the lower the pressure is.
The gas utility's central control center continuously monitors flow rates and pressures at various points in its system. The operators must ensure that the gas reaches each customer with sufficient flow rate and pressure to fuel equipment and appliances. They also ensure that the pressures stay below the maximum pressure for each segment of the system. Distribution lines typically operate at less than one-fifth of their design pressure.

bucolic_frolic

(42,478 posts)
26. Thanks, sounds like parts of them are - regulators, some remotely controlled
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 09:40 PM
Sep 2018

whatever that means. Could be direct wire, wireless, phone cable ....

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
31. That is pretty terrifying.
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 11:07 PM
Sep 2018

I hope they find out what caused it soon. Can you imagine if this happened in a major metropolitan area?

Rhiannon12866

(202,170 posts)
33. Updated story: Merrimack Valley Explosions: What We Know
Fri Sep 14, 2018, 03:35 AM
Sep 2018

LAWRENCE (CBS) – Large sections of multiple communities were evacuated Thursday afternoon after a series of gas explosions and fires. Here is the latest:

• Sections of South Lawrence, Andover and North Andover impacted
• The issue is related to a high pressure gas main, possibly over-pressurized
• An estimated 8,000 gas meters in that region, served by Columbia Gas, were affected; multi-unit homes have multiple gas meters
• All residents of South Lawrence, regardless of utility provider, were asked to evacuate
• Andover residents south of Rt. 28 and Salem street were allowed to return home early Friday
• Emergency crews going door to door to turn off gas at each home
• Lawrence, Andover and North Andover leaders say there is no timeline on when residents can return
• Power shut off to South Lawrence, parts of Andover and North Andover. This includes traffic lights
• An 18-year-old man has died. At least 25 people injured
• 60-80 fires and 3 explosions, according to MEMA
• 38 Fires extinguished in Andover alone, with 17 additional gas leaks
• 29 homes impacted in North Andover
• “It looked like Armageddon,” said Andover Fire Chief Michael Mansfield
• 10-alarm fire response in all 3 communities
• Fire and Police from across eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire responded
• Red Cross reception centers: Andover Senior Center and Youth Center, North Andover High School, Parthum and Arlington Schools in Lawrence, Central Catholic and St. Mary’s Church in Lawrence
• Residents in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover can call 211 for information
• Commuter Rail service on the Haverhill line suspended beyond North Wilmington
• All off ramps from I-495 between Exits 42-45 were closed; on ramps remained open
• No School in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover on Friday, including Catholic schools
• Merrimack College without power, but students are in dorms
• Lawrence Courts closed Friday
• Department of Pipeline Safety and NTSB involved in investigatin from federal level

https://boston.cbslocal.com/2018/09/14/merrimack-valley-gas-explosions-lawrence-north-andover/

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,480 posts)
34. This will take a long time to fix.
Fri Sep 14, 2018, 04:24 AM
Sep 2018

Natural gas piping, valves, meters and appliances will have to be tested and/or inspected before placed back in service due to being over-pressured. Old, corroded underground lines may have developed leaks and those must be found and repaired. I certainly don't envy the gas company workers at this point, but commend their work toward getting this emergency under control.

If there's anything to be grateful for at this point, it's that this event didn't happen in the dead of winter.

Our thoughts go out to all those affected and to the family of the young man who lost his life........

Eugene

(61,563 posts)
35. One dead in Massachusetts after gas explosions ignite dozens of fires
Fri Sep 14, 2018, 07:07 AM
Sep 2018

Source: The Guardian and agencies

One dead in Massachusetts after gas explosions ignite dozens of fires

Local police chief says 60 to 100 fires were burning in the area and several people were taken to hospital

Sarah Betancourt in Boston and agencies
Fri 14 Sep 2018 04.24 BST

One person died, several were injured and scores of Massachusetts residents were forced to evacuate their homes as dozens of fires raged following a series of gas explosions in three communities north of Boston.

Leonel Rondon, 18, was sitting in a car in Lawrence when the chimney from a house explosion fell on the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Residents with homes serviced by Columbia Gas in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover were ordered to evacuate, causing widespread confusion as crews scrambled to fight the flames and shut off the gas.

Andover fire chief Michael Mansfield said: “It looked like Armageddon, it really did. There were billows of smoke coming from Lawrence behind me. I could see pillars of smoke in front of me from the town of Andover.”

-snip-


Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/13/massachusetts-gas-explosions

FailureToCommunicate

(13,968 posts)
36. A cautionary tale for everyone. We live nearby this disaster and are anxiously following
Fri Sep 14, 2018, 07:30 AM
Sep 2018

developments. Many people are in hospital, some critical, at least one has died from injuries when their house literally blew up. A picture shows the top of a brick chimney crushed down on a car in the driveway...

The gas company, Columbia (not the one affected by striking workers) was due to begin upgrades to the area, but supposedly hadn't begun the process when somehow a main higher pressure supply line malfunctioned or something. We know more in the coming days.

But unlike the hurricane news we're all following there was no warning, no shelters ready for the thousands of residents who were ordered by police to leave the homes and evacuate immediately. Soon after the order to get out, as darkness fell, emergency workers shut down power to the areas in hopes of lessening the possibility of sparking even more explosions (even turning on a light, say to your basement to check out some gas smell can supposedly spark a conflagration if enough gas has seeped in from a loose fitting meant only to normally handle low pressure gas.

I say cautionary tale, because EVERYONE who uses gas in their home should know how to shut off the gas line where it enters your house and actually just keep a wrench taped to the pipe - it's usually a quarter turn of an line shut off valve. That's if you DON'T smell gas and have been ordered to leave. Tape a note on your door that you have shut off the gas. If you do smell gas (that icky mercaptinin smell they add) just get out fast.

Anyone in earthquake areas or like here in New England with blizzards, have been told be prepared to do this sort of thing over and over by authorities. But we may have become complacent, or figure it will never happen to us.

Please take a few moments to locate and know how to shut off your gas.

And maybe have a "go bag" ready for the time -god forbid- you get the word to get out of your home and neighborhood "IMMEDIATELY!"

Stay safe everyone. But be prepared to be safe as well, if possible.

Now back to the other storms happening in the South ...and in Washington D.C ...

?resize=750%2C487

MissMillie

(38,416 posts)
38. Thank you for the update and information. May I ask for one more update?
Fri Sep 14, 2018, 10:39 AM
Sep 2018

We have family and friends coming from Maine for an event tomorrow. We are wondering if they still need to avoid Rte. 495. I know they closed the off-ramps yesterday which caused quite the traffic jam. Are the off-ramps still closed, and if so is there any indication when they will be re-opened?

I tried to look this stuff up online, but couldn't find much.

FailureToCommunicate

(13,968 posts)
42. It still looks like off ramps are closed at Mass Ave (N. Andover), Salem Tpk, and Rt 28 in
Fri Sep 14, 2018, 02:22 PM
Sep 2018

Lawrence.

They have supposedly shut off gas to the area, so more explosions are unlikely, but avoiding those areas is still prudent. If your friends use WAZE they should get routing that helps them find alternative routes...

Good luck.

brooklynite

(93,626 posts)
43. I went to prep school for two years in North Andover...
Fri Sep 14, 2018, 02:27 PM
Sep 2018

School is closed today and boarding students are sheltering in place.

Rhiannon12866

(202,170 posts)
44. Update Saturday: New gas leak reported after explosions in Massachusetts
Sun Sep 16, 2018, 04:41 AM
Sep 2018

Sept. 15 (UPI) -- A new natural gas leak was reported in Lawrence, Mass., on Saturday morning, two days after explosions and fires rocked the city and other towns north of Boston.

At 11 a.m., the latest leak was confirmed, according to WBZ-TV. After a strong odor was reported, firefighters stopped people from walking in the area.

On Thursday, about 8,500 residents were forced to evacuate from their homes. Gas utility representatives are going door to door to shut off meters and check for residual gas within the home.

On Friday, Massachusetts Gov. Baker announced a state of emergency and handed over control of the response from Columbia Gas to Eversource for a "coordinated effort to safely restore utility services in South Lawrence, Andover and North Andover."


Read more: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2018/09/15/New-gas-leak-reported-after-explosions-in-Massachusetts/1861537036836/



This is destroyed home is where an 18-year-old was killed while sitting in a car in the driveway in Lawrence, Mass. A series of gas explosions rocked towns north of Boston and forced the mandatory evacuation of residents Thursday. Photo by CJ Gunther/EPA

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