LAWRENCE, MASS. (WHDH) - Emergency crews are responding to a gas leak in Lawrence, according to Fire Chief Moriarty.
Fire crews and Columbia Gas are on scene at the intersection of Haverhill and Ames streets working to repair a natural gas leak that was caused by a crack in an old, underground pipe.
The man who reported the leak said he started smelling the gas on Tuesday and reported it the following day because he knew something was really wrong.
“The gas levels were fairly high and we wanted to check all the homes to make sure everybody was safe,” Moriarty said.
None of the gas is leaking into nearby homes.
“We’ve had no fires, we’ve had no explosions, we’ve had no injuries,” Moriarty continued. Though, he said he is frustrated with the number of gas leaks that are reported weekly in the city.
He said it is the result of old pipes that are in the process of being replaced by Columbia Gas.
“After the incident last September, Columbia Gas replaced about 43.5 miles of older cast iron pipeline,” utility spokesperson Kelly Merritt said. “We are midway through a 10-year effort to replace or better still, encased iron pipeline.”
The stretch of road is likely to be closed throughout the night.
Anyone who smells gas is urged to call 911 and report it immediately.
There is a gas leak in the city of Lawrence in the area of Haverhill and Ames Sts. Fire crews and Columbia Gas are on scene and will identify and fix as soon as possible. No loss of gas no fire no explosions at this time
— Chief Moriarty (@Bfmorty) December 11, 2019
Columbia Gas crews are working with the FD and local officials to respond to a natural gas leak near the intersection of Ames Street and Haverhill Street in Lawrence. We are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. We will provide additional updates as available.
— Columbia Gas of Massachusetts is now Eversource. (@ColumbiaGasMA) December 11, 2019
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