Evacuations were taking place in multiple neighborhoods where residents smelled gas, according to state police. pic.twitter.com/a7kBYaWFrJ — Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) September 13, 2018

The Massachusetts State Police Watch Center said it responded to explosions, fires and other gas-related reports at least 70 different addresses. Preliminary numbers estimate that between 60 and 100 homes in the Merrimack Valley caught fire in the towns of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, Methuen Police Chief Joseph Soloman said. Massachusetts State Police urged all residents with homes serviced by Columbia Gas in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover to evacuate Thursday afternoon, snarling traffic and causing widespread confusion as residents and local officials struggled to understand what was happening. "Gas lines are currently being depressurised by the company, it will take some time," a Mass State Police tweet read. At least 30 homes and businesses caught fire in Andover, and active fires were reported in Lawrence as of early Friday morning, several hours after initial reports surfaced, fire officials said. "People need to get out of this area safely, and it's really difficult because the traffic right now is horrendous," he said. Earlier in the day, a local gas company, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, announced that it was “upgrading natural gas lines in neighborhoods across the state.” Late Thursday, the company issued a statement: “Columbia Gas crews are currently responding to reports of multiple fires in Lawrence.
At least 40 homes are damaged and 1 person killed in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover, as at least 39 gas explosions level houses. Residents are being evacuated to neighboring towns.