LAWRENCE, Mass. (AP) – Authorities say an 18-year-old man has died after a house exploded amid gas explosions north of Boston, sending a chimney crashing into his car.
Officials have identified the victim as Leonel Rondon, of Lawrence. They say he was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he died around 8:30 p.m. EDT of his injuries.
Gov. Charlie Baker says 10 other people were injured Thursday in a series of fires and explosions that authorities blame on over-pressurized natural gas lines.
State Police said a total of 39 fires erupted from the gas lines in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.
The company that owns Columbia Gas says its crews are performing safety checks after a series of fires and explosions erupted in three communities north of Boston, but did not explain what went wrong.
A statement from Indiana-based NiSource says its “thoughts are with everyone affected by today’s incident” and that it appreciates the response from local emergency crews.
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