Some 8,000 people were driven from their homes in towns near Boston by a series of gas explosions, and it was unclear on Friday when they could go back.
The blasts killed at least one person, injured 12 more and destroyed dozens of homes and other buildings in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence on Thursday.
Residents who were evacuated “should expect that the restoration process will take several days or longer,” Andrew Maylor, the town manager of North Andover, said on Twitter.
Firefighters raced for hours from one blaze to another and utility crews rushed to shut off gas and electricity to prevent further explosions. Fire and utility crews were going door to door to conduct safety checks, officials said.
Some 70 fires, explosions or investigations of gas odor were reported, Massachusetts State Police said. (Reuters)
Firefighters battle a house fire, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, on Herrick Road in North Andover, Mass., one of multiple emergency crews responding to a series of gas explosions and fires triggered by a problem with a gas line that feeds homes in several communities north of Boston. (Photo: Mary Schwalm/AP)
Source: Yahoo News Photo Staff
Firefighters inspect a home after a gas explosions on Sept. 13, 2018 in North Andover, Mass. (Photo: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
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Firefighters inspect a home after gas explosions on Sept. 13, 2018 in North Andover, Mass. (Photo: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
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In this image take from video provided by WCVB in Boston, flames consume the roof of a home in Lawrence, Mass, a suburb of Boston, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. (Photo: WCVB via AP)
Source: Yahoo News Photo Staff
In this image take from video provided by WCVB in Boston, firefighters battle a raging house fire in Lawrence, Mass, a suburb of Boston, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. (Photo: WCVB via AP)
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A building burns after explosions in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in this Sept. 13, 2018 photo from social media. (Photo: Boston Sparks/Social Media/via Reuters)
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A fire engine is seen near a building emitting smoke after explosions in Lawrence, Massachusetts, United States in this Sept. 13, 2018 photo from social media. (Photo: Boston Sparks/Social Media/via Reuters)
Source: Yahoo News Photo Staff
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Source: Yahoo News Photo Staff
This is such a horrible tragedy. I teach in Lawrence. Please consider giving whatever you can to a community I love so much: http://eccf.org/lawrenceemergencyfund
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away … Stargazing at Arches National Park is out of this world. On a moonless night, you can see a wealth of stars with the naked eye. Happy May the 4th be with you! Photo of Delicate Arch courtesy of Joshua Snow.
From its rocky coastline to the top of Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park in Maine will take your breath away. Day or night, the sights and sounds of the park give visitors memories they’ll cherish for a lifetime. Famous for sunrise, the park is also a terrific place to enjoy the night sky. Photo of the Milky Way from Little Hunters Beach by Joshua Snow (www.sharetheexperience.org).
