Merrimack Valley gas explosions

{{about|the 2018 incident|the incident in 1983|East Boston gas surge}}

{{Infobox event

| title =

| image = Merrimack Valley gas explosions house (48787740283).jpg

| image_size =

| image_upright =

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| caption = A house damaged by a gas explosion

| time = 4:15{{nbsp}}pm (Eastern Daylight Time){{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nearly-40-fires-explosions-erupt-massachusetts-n909446|title=Gas explosion in Massachusetts leaves one dead|work=NBC News|author=Tim Stelloh and Tom Winter|date=September 13, 2018|access-date=September 14, 2018}}

| duration = 2 hours 30 minutes (estimated){{efn|The duration time reflects when the fires/explosions were first reported to the time when all of the fires were put out}}

| date = {{Start date|2018|09|13}}

| location = Massachusetts, United States

| type = Fires

| cause = Over-pressurized gas mains

| participants = Columbia Gas Feeney Brothers

| outcome = Cost is greater than $1 billion in property damage, personal injury, infrastructure damage and mutual aid payments to other utilities that helped in the recovery and restoration efforts.

| reported deaths = 1{{cite web|url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/lawrence-massachusetts-multiple-fires-gas-pressurization/23120524|title=1 dead after Columbia Gas pressure issue leaves homes leveled, burned|work=WCVB Boston|access-date=September 13, 2018}}

| reported injuries = 25+ {{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2018/09/13/647621382/multiple-explosions-and-fires-reported-across-3-massachusetts-towns-at-least-3-i|title=Multiple Explosions And Fires Reported Across 3 Mass. Towns, At Least 10 Injured|author=Vanessa Romo|website=NPR |date=September 13, 2018 |access-date=September 13, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/14/us/massachusetts-explosions-fires/index.html|title=Homes burn in 3 Massachusetts towns after suspected gas explosions|first=Nicole |last=Chavez|work=CNN|access-date=2018-09-14}}

| reported property damage = 60–100 homes{{cite web|url=https://www.eagletribune.com/news/merrimack_valley/rivera-no-way-to-pay-for-gas-disaster-distress/article_7cdc1420-03e0-5ab2-af60-eee628a43846.html|title=Rivera : No Way to Pay for Gas Disaster Distress|work=Eagle Tribune|author=Jessica Valeriani|date=May 8, 2019 |access-date=July 24, 2019}}

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On September 13, 2018, excessive pressure in natural gas lines owned by Columbia Gas of Massachusetts caused a series of explosions and fires to occur in as many as 40 homes, with over 80 individual fires, in the towns of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover, all within the Merrimack Valley, in Massachusetts, United States. One person, 18-year-old Leonel Rondon, was killed and 30,000 were forced to evacuate their homes immediately.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/09/13/multiple-gas-explosions-set-more-than-homes-ablaze-across-three-communities-north-boston/|title='How did this happen?': Gas blasts set homes ablaze, triggering chaos in Massachusetts|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=September 14, 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/09/13/gas-explosions-massachusetts-leave-homes-fire/1295706002/|title=More than 30 homes catch fire after natural gas issues north of Boston; 4 injured|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=September 13, 2018}}

Background

According to the NTSB's preliminary report, customers in the accident area received gas from a low-pressure (0.5 psi) distribution network which, in turn, was fed from a high-pressure (75 psi) main pipeline via regulators controlled by sensors measuring pressure in the low-pressure pipes. At the time of the accident, workers were replacing some of the low-pressure piping, but the procedure set out by Columbia Gas for doing this failed to include transfer of a regulator's pressure sensor from the old, disused piping to the new. As a result, when the old pipe was depressurized, the regulator sensed zero pressure on the low-pressure side and opened completely, feeding the main pipeline's full pressure into the local distribution network.{{cite web|title=Preliminary Report Pipeline: Over-pressure of a Columbia Gas of Massachusetts Low-pressure Natural Gas Distribution System|date=10 October 2018 |access-date=21 October 2018 |author=NTSB |url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/PLD18MR003-preliminary-report.aspx}}

Fires and explosions

File:Gas Explosion Damage to Home in North Andover.jpg

The faulty procedure used caused natural gas to build up in homes within a matter of minutes. Multiple explosions and fires were reported over a very short period of time in the towns of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover beginning about 4:15{{nbsp}}pm (EDT).{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/10/11/ntsb-natural-gas-explosions-columbia-gas-lawrence-north-andover/1604415002/|title=Massachusetts natural gas explosions: Feds say Columbia Gas issued faulty work orders|author=Korte, Gregory|date=October 11, 2018|newspaper=USA Today}} Through the evening emergency crews responded to between 40 and 80 fires.{{Cite news|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/09/it_just_looked_like_an_absolut.html|title='It just looked like an absolute war zone': Andover crews respond to 38 fires after suspected gas main explosion|work=masslive.com|access-date=2018-09-14|language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2018/09/14/lawrence-fires-explosions-gas-main/|title='It Looked Like Armageddon': 1 Dead After Gas Explosions, Fires|publisher=CBS|date=September 14, 2018|access-date=September 14, 2018}} At one time, as many as 18 fires were burning at once, and Andover officials struck a maximum 10-alarm response.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/Multiple-Fires-Reported-in-Lawrence-Mass-493188501.html|title=Multiple Gas-Related Explosions, Fires Reported in Massachusetts|work=NBC 10 Philadelphia|access-date=September 14, 2018|language=en}}

Andover's fire chief described "billows of smoke coming from Lawrence behind me, I could see plumes of smoke in front of me within the town of Andover, it just looked like an absolute war zone." A Lawrence resident described finding his boiler on fire after his smoke alarm went off; as he was extinguishing it he heard a boom from a neighbor's house and the ground shook.{{Cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/explosions-damage-many-homes-cant-even-see-sky-213109765.html|title=Panicked neighborhoods evacuate as gas blasts destroy homes|access-date=September 14, 2018|language=en-US}} An explosion at one of the homes involved caused the house to shift off of its foundation. This in turn caused the chimney attached to fall on a car occupied by a fleeing resident, killing him. In addition to this death, twenty-five others were reported injured overall from the whole event.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/13/us/massachusetts-explosions-fires/index.html|title=Gas explosions, fires reported in Massachusetts towns|author1=Melanie Schuman |author2=Ray Sanchez |author3=Pierre Meilhan|work=CNN|access-date=September 14, 2018}} All of the fires were put out by 6:45{{nbsp}}pm.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lawrence-ma-fire-gas-explosion-suspected-2018-09-13-live-updates/|title=Multiple fires, gas explosions in Lawrence, Mass. area|access-date=September 14, 2018|language=en}}

Once it was realized that the fires were being caused by over-pressurized gas mains, all residents in South Lawrence, and residents supplied by Columbia Gas in the area were told to evacuate their homes. Foul play was also ruled out as a possible cause by police.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-massachusetts-explosions/suspected-gas-explosions-rock-towns-near-boston-forcing-evacuations-idUSKCN1LT3E5?feedType=RSS&feedName=newsOne|title=Suspected gas explosions rock towns near Boston, forcing evacuations|last=Malone|first=Scott|work=U.S.|access-date=September 14, 2018|language=en-US}} Gas service for approximately 8,000 residents was ultimately shut off; electricity to portions of the three communities was also interrupted to avoid igniting any lingering gas.{{Cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/boston-area-gas-explosions-kill-at-least-1-injure-20-trigger-evacuations-officials-say|title=Massachusetts suspected gas explosions hits dozens of homes and buildings, officials say|last=Darrah|first=Nicole|date=September 13, 2018|work=Fox News|access-date=September 14, 2018|language=en-US}}{{cite web |title=Dozens of houses burn, explode after Columbia Gas pressure issue |url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/lawrence-massachusetts-multiple-fires-gas-pressurization/23120524 |website=WCVB |access-date=September 14, 2018 |language=en |date=September 14, 2018}}

Response

Thousands of people were told to shut off their gas service and evacuate their homes. In Lawrence, Mayor Dan Rivera urged residents in the city to move north of the Merrimack River. Schools and senior citizen centers were opened up in all three areas to take in the evacuees, and hotels offered shelter as well.{{cite web|url=http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_32136177/fire-crews-responding-series-gas-explosions-homes-lawrence|title=Gas Explosions Rock Lawrence, Andover, N. Andover|work=Lowell Sun|date=September 14, 2018|access-date=September 14, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/09/salem_waterfront_hotel_offerin.html|title=Salem Waterfront Hotel offering remaining occupancy to anyone whose home was affected by fires, explosions in Lawrence and North Andover|work=MassLive|author=Melissa Hanson|date=September 13, 2018|access-date=September 14, 2018}} The number of people evacuating by vehicle soon caused gridlock on streets that were already experiencing congestion by the afternoon rush hour commute.{{cite news|url=http://www.eagletribune.com/news/merrimack_valley/confusion-reigns-for-fire-gas-explosion-evacuees/article_5af870b3-b806-5c9b-ad67-b778280e6f3c.html|title=Confusion reigns for fire, gas explosion evacuees|newspaper=The Eagle Tribune|author=Lisa Kashinsky lkashinsky|date=September 14, 2018|access-date=September 14, 2018}} Portions of Interstate 93 and Interstate 495 were closed to traffic by the Massachusetts State Police and local highways such as Route 125 were temporarily converted to one-way traffic in order to accommodate fleeing residents as well as prevent others from returning to their homes. {{cite web|url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/merrimack-valley-natural-gas-explosions-after-action-report/download|title=2018 Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions After Action Report|work=MEMA|author=|access-date=October 5, 2022}} Merrimack College evacuated its buildings temporarily. Schools and state offices in the three communities remained closed the following day.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/14/us/massachusetts-explosions-fires/index.html|title='It looked like Armageddon': Homes burn in Massachusetts towns after suspected gas explosions|author=Nicole Chavez and Ray Sanchez|work=CNN|date=September 14, 2018|access-date=September 14, 2018}} First responders from as far away as Boston, Concord NH, Rochester NH, York ME, Milford NH, and New Boston NH, rushed to Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover as gas and electric lines were shut off to prevent further explosions. Additional departments further away like Laconia, Meredith, Plymouth, Peterborough and Keene were also dispatched, but were canceled en route.{{Citation|title=Fire Trucks, Police Cars, and Ambulances Responding to 9th Alarm Major Gas Emergency|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrjS2PsaGtw|language=en|access-date=2019-08-31}}

The NTSB also sent a team to investigate the situation the following day stating that they were going to look at the design of the pipeline system, maintenance associated with it, the emergency response, and the integrity management system of Columbia Gas. The gas company involved released several updates about the fires and explosions through their website.{{cite web|url=https://www.columbiagasma.com/en/about-us/newsroom/news/2018/09/14/incident-in-lawrence|title=Incident in Lawrence|website=www.columbiagasma.com|language=en|access-date=2018-09-14|archive-date=September 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914033225/https://www.columbiagasma.com/en/about-us/newsroom/news/2018/09/14/incident-in-lawrence|url-status=dead}} The updates expressed sympathy over the "tragic incident" and the resulting death, as well as directing readers to shelters, and how to remain safe throughout the incident. Governor Baker and Lawrence mayor Dan Rivera were later heavily critical of the response issued by Columbia Gas.{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2018/09/gov_charlie_baker_lawrence_mayor_dan_rivera_decry_columbia_gas_response|title=Gov. Charlie Baker, Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera decry Columbia Gas' response to crisis|newspaper=Boston Herald|author=Jordan Graham & Sean Philip Cotter|date=September 15, 2018|access-date=September 15, 2018}}

On September 14, 2018, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency and appointed Eversource to evaluate and oversee the management of the gas distribution system in the affected area.{{Cite news|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2018/09/14/merrimack-valley-explosions-lawrence-mayor-dan-rivera-columbia-gas-charlie-baker-state-of-emergency/|title=State Of Emergency Declared; Lawrence Mayor Says Gas Company 'Hiding From The Problem'|date=2018-09-14|access-date=2018-09-14|language=en}} Residents were gradually able to return to their homes and businesses, but others still remained in emergency shelters, hotels, or with friends and family. Officials entered each residence and business with the help of a locksmith if necessary, inspected for trapped gas, and ensured that the gas line from the street was turned off. Eventually lists were posted of streets that had been cleared, and electricity was gradually restored to these residents and businesses.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eagletribune.com/news/update-more-andover-north-andover-residents-going-home-lawrence-still-in-holding-pattern/article_5fa1eb20-b8ff-11e8-8424-8f3fd47dd61a.html|title=More Andover, North Andover residents going home; Lawrence still in holding pattern|date=September 15, 2018|website=Eagle-Tribune}} Inspections were complete and electricity to all affected areas was restored by September 16, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/09/17/officials-will-create-foundation-help-speed-gas-explosion-recovery-effort-merrimack-valley/IaIIvKvqXUvCS67ZNvZuVM/story.html|title=Pressure inside Columbia Gas pipes was 12 times higher than normal |website=BostonGlobe.com}} Some gas-dependent businesses, such as laundromats and restaurants, remained unable to open.

Recovery

Restoration of gas service to the 8,600 affected customers required the replacement of about {{convert|48|mi}} of gas pipeline, which Columbia Gas expected to accomplish by November 19, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/09/22/national-guard-members-start-delivering-hot-plates-lawrence-residents/8o6y4TlCVHygSyJE6MB3mJ/story.html|title=National Guard members deliver hot plates to Lawrence residents |website=BostonGlobe.com}} On September 22, 2018, National Guard troops began delivering about 7,000 hot plates to customers to temporarily replace gas stoves for cooking. There were plans to deliver about 24,000 space heaters before the cold weather arrived, with Columbia Gas paying the increased electrical bills, but no plans to make up for lack of hot showers due to disabled water heaters. The company also withdrew a $33 million rate increase which was scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/09/19/gas-company-plan-for-speedy-replacement-work-raises-safety-fears/U84HWSti6FPoBOGJyU7tuM/story.html |title=Gas company's plan for speedy replacement work raises safety fears |author1=Matt Rocheleau |author2=Milton Valencia |date=September 20, 2018 |newspaper=The Boston Globe}}

In late October, the company pushed back the expected completion date to December 16. Replacement of gas mains was proceeding ahead of schedule, but some older houses were unable to accommodate newer appliances and required more work to upgrade them to current standards.{{cite news |title=Columbia Gas Pushes Back Deadline To Restore Service To Those Affected By Explosions |date=2 October 2018 |author1=Lisa Creamer |author2=Quincy Walters |publisher=WBUR-FM |url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2018/10/26/columbia-gas-restoration-deadline-pushed-back}}

Costs and legal action

In early May 2019, NiSource, the parent company of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, said third-party claims related to the Merrimack Valley gas disaster could cost more than $1 billion. This amount includes property damage, personal injury, infrastructure damage and mutual aid payments to other utilities that helped in the recovery and restoration efforts.{{cite news |last=Kashinsky |first=Lisa |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/05/01/nisource-ups-cost-estimates-for-merrimack-valley-gas-disaster/ |title=Columbia Gas parent company says cost for Merrimack Valley gas disaster could hit $1B |work=Boston Herald |date=2019-05-01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502151443/https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/05/01/nisource-ups-cost-estimates-for-merrimack-valley-gas-disaster/ |archive-date=2019-05-02 |access-date=2019-05-02 }} Multiple class action lawsuits were filed for negligence and destruction of property; these were eventually all settled by Columbia Gas for $143 million in July 2019. The settlement included $80 million for the affected communities, and a separate payment to the family of the deceased.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2019/07/29/merrimack-valley-columbia-gas-explosion-settled/|title=Merrimack Valley Gas Explosion Lawsuits Settled for $143 Million|author=Alyssa Vaughn|work=Boston Magazine|date=July 29, 2019|access-date=August 31, 2019}} In February 2020, Columbia Gas pled guilty to violating federal pipeline safety laws, and under an agreement with the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's Office, agreed to sell its gas distribution operations in the state to Eversource Energy and pay a fine of $53 million.{{cite news|title=Columbia Gas to be held criminally, financially accountable in Merrimack Valley explosions|publisher=WCVB|url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/columbia-gas-to-be-held-criminally-financially-accountable-in-merrimack-valley-explosions/31113691|date=February 26, 2020|access-date=February 26, 2020}} Columbia Gas was sentenced on June 23, 2020, and ordered to pay the $53 million fine as well as serve a three-year probation.{{Cite news|date=June 23, 2020|title=Columbia Gas to pay $53M fine, serve probation for Merrimack Valley disaster|work=WCVB|url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/columbia-gas-to-be-sentenced-in-merrimack-valley-disaster/32943920|access-date=June 23, 2020}}