Officials say preparations for a road paving project triggered a gas leak that caused hundreds of residents of a Massachusetts city still reeling from last year’s destructive gas explosions to be temporarily evacuated.
The state Department of Public Utilities, utility company Columbia Gas and the City of Lawrence say contractors working for the city on Friday accidentally punctured an active gas main while conducting a routine water valve check, prompting the evacuations.
Officials say their preliminary investigation also suggests a gas valve used in the incident wasn’t compliant and should have been disabled last year. Columbia Gas says it’s bringing 45 similar ones into compliance.
The utility, which was blamed for last year’s deadly explosions, also opened a temporary claims center in Lawrence on Monday for people seeking compensation.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Chubb CEO Greenberg: Industry Has to ‘Put Arms Around’ AI Liability 
Isaias: 47,000 Claims and $582M in Losses in Florida So Far, OIR Reports 
World’s Largest Retirement Community Set to Borrow $180 Million for More Homes 
Home Insurance Tops Property Taxes in Squeeze for US Households 
