series of gas explosions in US damaged so many homes
A series of gas explosions has ignited fires in dozens of homes in Massachusetts - killing one person and injuring at least 12 others.
Police urged residents in three towns north of Boston to evacuate as emergency crews tackled the fires and scrambled to turn off gas lines.
The explosions caused widespread confusion and panic as officials and homeowners alike struggled to understand what was happening - with some worrying whether their properties would be next.
One resident described the scenes in Massachusetts as 'total destruction'
There have been at least 70 explosions in the towns of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, with a ruptured gas pipeline being blamed.
Streets were plunged into darkness as electricity lines were disabled to prevent further damage.
The fires sparked panic, with some wondering whether their homes would be
next
Ra Nam, who lives in Lawrence, was in his garden when smoke alarms in the basement went off on Thursday evening.
He ran downstairs and discovered his boiler on fire - and minutes later, he heard a loud boom from his neighbour's house, causing the ground to shake.
Another Lawrence resident, Bruce Razin, said the house two doors down from where he lived had been levelled from an explosion.
"I couldn't imagine if that was my house," he said. "It's total destruction. I'd be completely devastated."
Police urged residents in three towns north of Boston to evacuate as emergency crews tackled the fires and scrambled to turn off gas lines.
The explosions caused widespread confusion and panic as officials and homeowners alike struggled to understand what was happening - with some worrying whether their properties would be next.
One resident described the scenes in Massachusetts as 'total destruction'
There have been at least 70 explosions in the towns of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, with a ruptured gas pipeline being blamed.
Streets were plunged into darkness as electricity lines were disabled to prevent further damage.
The fires sparked panic, with some wondering whether their homes would be
next
Ra Nam, who lives in Lawrence, was in his garden when smoke alarms in the basement went off on Thursday evening.
He ran downstairs and discovered his boiler on fire - and minutes later, he heard a loud boom from his neighbour's house, causing the ground to shake.
Another Lawrence resident, Bruce Razin, said the house two doors down from where he lived had been levelled from an explosion.
"I couldn't imagine if that was my house," he said. "It's total destruction. I'd be completely devastated."
