FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, Sept. 14, 2018

Media contact: John Guilfoil
Email: john@jgpr.net
Phone: 617-993-0003

Andover Public Safety Officials Provide Update on Gas Emergency

ANDOVER — Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan, Police Chief Patrick Keefe and Fire Chief Michael B. Mansfield would like to provide an update to the community regarding the ongoing response to yesterday’s gas emergency. 

Approximately 2,000 gas meters in Andover were impacted during yesterday’s series of explosions and subsequent fires. Town officials have identified the streets and neighborhoods that were not impacted by yesterday’s emergency and are regularly updating a list of “cleared” streets.

To view that list, click here. 

In most cases, streets on the “clear” list will have electricity, but some will not. Residents whose homes are on the clear list, but whose gas was shut off as a precaution, should NOT attempt to turn their gas back on. Eversource crews will restore service when it is safe to do so, and residents should wait for Eversource to restore their service. 

The 2,000 gas customers that were impacted by this event are asked not return to their homes or businesses at this time. Eversource crews, in close cooperation with Andover Police and Fire personnel, are going door to door to shut off meters and ensure homes and businesses are safe to occupy. Crews will be working around the clock to complete this process. Once that work is completed, electricity will be restored to the impacted areas.

The Cormier Youth Center remains open as a receiving center for displaced residents. 

“I am grateful for the patience of the community as we work through this process,” Town Manager Flanagan said. “We are confident that significant progress will be made over the weekend, and the town of Andover will do everything it can to support the restoration effort.” 

There is no definite timetable for complete restoration of gas service, but officials hope to report significant progress throughout the weekend. 

Updates will be made at www.andoverma.gov and on the town’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

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