MERRIMACK, N.H. (WHDH) - The Merrimack Premium Outlets have been temporarily shut down after a rockslide punctured a gas line at the building Wednesday morning.
Merrimack Fire responded to the scene just after 7 a.m. for a gas leak. Upon arrival, they discovered that a rockslide to the rear of the mall had impacted the gas line. No injuries were reported, though the area was soon evacuated and gas to the building was shut off after crews arrived to find a strong odor emanating from the scene.
“Liberty Utilities believes that the rockslide actually damaged the underground gas line to the mall, so it was a significant gas leak,” said Merrimack Fire Lieutenant Chris Wyman. “Is it possible more (rock) could continue to slide? Yes. Is that something that we’re 100% sure of? We’re not. So it could be over, it could continue, but for that purpose and for safety reasons, the mall is closed at least for the day.”
A SKY7 camera showed a massive pile of rocks had come crashing down and cut off the roadway running through the back of the outlets, pushing fencing all the way up to the structure’s wall.
Customers who approached the outlets’ entrance were met with officials saying the plaza was “closed indefinitely” – a surprise for some who were hoping to hit the stores for some post-Christmas shopping.
It is unknown when the mall will reopen to the public.
(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)