Once again, tonight I want to thank our first responders and firefighters from communities across the Commonwealth that have responded to the situation in #Lawrence, #Andover and #NorthAndover. #MVGasFire
Our priority remains getting electricity to the affected households as quickly as possible, while ensuring the safety of residents.
This afternoon, I declared a State of Emergency, which authorized DPU to allow @EversourceMA to take over utility restoration efforts. We took this step after it became clear to us that Columbia Gas was inadequately prepared to take the steps needed. ow.ly/3L4630lPuKN
.@EversourceMA is now in the process of mobilizing a command center, establishing a leadership team and getting resources to the area, and we will continue to coordinate with them. They have already brought in more than 100 natural gas technicians with plans to bring in more.
It is essential that crews get this right to ensure safety, and we remind people to not turn on the gas in your home. Crews must do that for you. We ask everyone remain calm and be as patient as possible while the utilities work this issue block by block, house by house.
#Andover, #NorthAndover and #Lawrence have shelters available tonight. We are working with the @RedCrossMA and other providers to make people as comfortable as possible during this tough time at our locally run shelters.
We’ve also heard from a lot of people who want to help out and make a donation. We encourage them to donate to the #Lawrence Emergency Fund: eccf.org/lawrenceemerge…. We have other information and resources on @MassGov: ow.ly/3L4630lPuKN.
