'It Looked Like Armageddon': 1 Killed in Explosions, Fires

Firefighters in Andover, Massachusetts, were among the three communities racing to try and control the numerous fires that broke out Thursday as a result of a series of gas explosions in the area.

A series of gas explosions caused 60 to 80 fires in homes across three communities in the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts on Thursday, killing a local teen and forcing entire neighborhoods to evacuate.

Authorities said Leonel Rondon, 18, of Lawrence, died after a chimney toppled by an exploding house crashed into his car. He was rushed to a Boston hospital but pronounced dead later in the evening. More than 20 others were treated for fire-related injuries.

NBC10 Boston helicopter footage showed many houses smoking or in flames and others that appeared to be torn apart by the blasts, with a massive response from firefighters and police amid a problem with a gas line that feeds homes in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence.

"I've been in the fire service for almost 39 years and I've never seen anything like this in my entire career," 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 plumes of smoke in front of me from Andover. It just looked like an absolute war zone. It's something I've never experienced in my fire service career and I hope I never experience it again."

Andover officials said they struck 10 alarms, their maximum fire response, and extinguished 38 fires across town.

Joseph Solomon, the police chief in nearby Methuen, said 20 to 25 homes were on fire in Lawrence. Solomon, who responded to Lawrence to help, said there were so many fires "you can't even see the sky."

Another 12 to 14 fires were reported in North Andover, Town Manager Andrew Maylor said.

Massachusetts State Police said they confirmed responses to over 70 different addresses in the three communities for fires, explosions or investigations, and said the number will grow.

One home could be seen burning to the ground with no firefighters in sight as emergency crews scrambled to respond to the various scenes.

Andover quickly issued an evacuation advisory for all residents and businesses. Many areas of North Andover and Lawrence were also evacuated.

State police urged anyone in the three towns with Columbia Gas service to evacuate on Thursday afternoon, snarling traffic and causing widespread confusion as residents and local officials struggled to understand what was happening.

Red Cross reception centers have been set up for those affected by the explosions at the Parthum School at 255 East Haverhill St. in Lawrence, the Arlington Street School at 150 Arlington St. in Lawrence, the field house at North Andover High School at 430 Osgood St. and the Cormier Youth Center at 40 Whittier Court in Andover. As of 9 p.m., more than 100 people had checked in at North Andover High School.

Andover residents who live on the North Reading side of town were allowed to return home shortly after midnight. Officials from all three towns said there is no timeframe yet for when other residents might be allowed to return to their homes.

"This is still a very active scene," Gov. Charlie Baker said. "There will be plenty of time later tonight, tomorrow morning and into the next day to do some of the work around determining exactly what happened and why.

"This has obviously been an incredibly difficult day," he added. "At this time I ask everyone to think of the family who lost a loved one today and to pray for everyone who has been injured."

Hours after the explosions, Columbia Gas' parent company issued a brief statement saying its crews were still performing safety checks in the area.

Mass. Gov. Baker: Utility Companies Must Develop Comprehensive Safety Plan

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker held a news conference early Friday morning to give an update on the gas-related explosions and fires in the Merrimack Valley and made it clear that the utility companies will be held accountable for a comprehensive safety plan. (Published Friday, Sept. 14, 2018)

"Our thoughts are with everyone affected by today's incident," Indiana-based NiSource said in a statement. "The first priority for our crews at the scene is to ensure the safety of our customers and the community."

By late Thursday, all of the fires had been doused but many areas remained silent and dark after residents fled and after power companies cut electricity to prevent further fires.

Lawrence resident Bruce Razin was among the evacuees standing outside the Colonial Heights neighborhood near the city's high school trying to decide what to do next late Thursday.

Officials had cut power in the area and the streets were pitch black, save for emergency vehicle lights. Razin said he arrived just as residents were being evacuated, and immediately saw the house two doors down was leveled from an explosion.

"I couldn't imagine if that was my house," said Razin, who purchased his home nearly two years ago. "It's total destruction. I'd be completely devastated."

With a backpack filled with personal items he had hastily grabbed, he said he'd head to his mother's home a few towns over for the night.

Multiple Fires Reported After Gas Main Explosion

Emergency crews responded to reports of multiple explosions and fires in Lawrence and North Andover, Massachusetts on Thursday afternoon. (Published Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018)

In Lawrence, a man whose neighborhood was among dozens that erupted in fire said he ran into his basement to find that the room was glowing. Resident Ra Nam says he was in his yard when the smoke detector in his basement went off around 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

When he ran downstairs and saw the boiler was on fire, he quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher and put it out. Minutes later, Nam said he heard a loud boom come from his neighbor's house and the ground shook. Nam said a woman and two kids had made it out of the house, but the basement was on fire.

North Andover Selectman Phil Decologero said his entire neighborhood gathered in the street, afraid to enter their homes.

"It's definitely a scary situation at the moment," he said. "It's pretty severe."

Many businesses closed as a precaution due to the fires, but McAloon's Liquors in North Andover was still open as of 8 p.m. Owner Bill Buco said he would stay open until police told him to close. There were long lines for essentials like water.

"My customers need service. They need water, they need milk, they need bread," he said.

RAW VIDEO: 20+ Homes Impacted by Explosions, Fires

Emergency crews responded to reports of gas-related multiple explosions and fires in Lawrence and North Andover, Massachusetts, on Thursday afternoon. (Published Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018)

North Andover, Andover and Lawrence schools announced they will be closed on Friday due to the ongoing gas issues. Lawrence courts and state offices in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover will also be closed.

Merrimack College in North Andover cancelled classes for the night and temporarily asked students to evacuate as a precaution while they turned the gas off.

All off-ramps on Interstate 495 from exits 41 through 45 were shut down. On ramps remained open to allow for evacuations. Interstate 93 northbound and southbound Exit 45 off ramps to River Road were also closed.

The MBTA suspended service on the Haverhill line north of North Wilmington Station due to the emergency. Friday's commuter rail service on the Haverhill line will operate only between North Station and Reading Station. Busing will be available at the Haverhill and Bradford stations, taking passengers to Anderson-Woburn Station on the Lowell commuter rail line.

The Amtrak Downeaster also canceled several trains due to the ongoing fire department activity in the area.

Baker said state and local police will be patrolling the three communities all night and will be stationed at intersections where the traffic lights are impacted by power outages.

NBC10 Boston Sky Ranger Over Merrimack Valley Disaster

NBC10 Boston Sky Ranger over the Merrimack Valley, where gas-related explosions caused damage and fires throughout the region. (Published Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018)

"My heart goes out to the families in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover who are trying to pick up the pieces after dozens of fires & gas explosions in the area," U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a tweet Thursday. "Grateful to all our first responders working to help. Massachusetts is strong - we will recover & rebuild."

"The @CityOfBoston is here for the people of Andover, North Andover, and Lawrence tonight," Boston Mayor Marty Walsh tweeted. "I thank all of our first responders, including @BostonFire & @bostonpolice who are working hard with many others to keep everyone safe."

The state fire marshal's office sent multiple fire investigators to the Lawrence/North Andover area. State police fire investigators, detectives and crime scene personnel also responded. The FBI said it is aware of the situation and is coordinating with state and local partners. Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency staff are also on scene, and the National Transportation Safety Board said it is sending a team to the area on Friday morning.

MEMA blamed the fires on gas lines that had become over-pressurized, but officials who responded to the area were still investigating the cause.

Columbia had announced earlier Thursday that it would be upgrading gas lines in neighborhoods across the state, including the area where the explosions happened. It was not clear whether work was happening there Thursday, and a spokeswoman did not return calls.

State police said it is "far too early" to speculate on the cause. They said a joint investigation will be conducted once the situation has been stabilized.

Lawrence Home Leveled Amid Multiple Fires, Explosions

A home on Chickering Road in Lawrence, Mass. was leveled Thursday as a gas line incident unfolded. The street has been closed off. There are multiple fires at homes in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover (Published Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018)