Page 6 - ARUBA TODAY

A6 U.S. NEWS
Monday 17 SepteMber 2018

Official: Pressure sensors focus of gas explosions probe

LAWRENCE, Mass. (AP) — Schools in Lawrence will be I am frustrated," Renata
The investigation into the closed Monday because Rena, who waiting in line
Boston-area natural gas ex- of the natural gas situation, with her 3-year-old daugh-
plosions is partially focused officials said. ter, told the newspaper.
on pressure sensors that Sumwalt said the investi- Joe Hamrock, chief execu-
were connected to a gas gation is focused on high tive of Columbia Gas' par-
line that was being taken pressure in pipelines. On ent company, NiSource,
out of service shortly be- Saturday, he said officials said Sunday that the com-
fore the blasts, the head of will be looking at how lo- pany was taking full respon-
the National Transportation cal Columbia Gas officials sibility for what happened
Safety Board said Sunday. responded to a "pressure and is implementing a ser-
NTSB Chairman Robert increase" in the Lawrence vice restoration plan. He
Sumwalt said the sensors area that was detected said the devastation and
can signal for gas pres- Columbia Gas employee Brian Jones shines a flashlight so his at the company's pipeline tragedy caused by the ex-
sure to be increased if the partner, using a wrench, can shut off the gas in a home Friday, control center in Columbus, plosions are heartbreaking.
pressure gets too low. He Sept. 14, 2018, in Andover, Mass. Ohio, prior to the explosions "We're in this for the long
said investigators will try to Associated Press and fires. He said there was run," Hamrock said. "We
determine whether those no evidence the explosions know this has damaged
sensors played any role in the three communities ley and the residents of our were intentional. the confidence and trust in
Thursday's explosions and north of Boston were al- state are being as support- Columbia Gas on Sunday our company and what we
fires. lowed to return to their ive as they can be and as turned away hundreds of do. Our full commitment is
Dozens of homes were de- homes after crews finished kind as they can be to one Lawrence residents who restoring that trust and that
stroyed or damaged, a shutting off nearly 8,600 another during this most wanted to make damage confidence."
teenager was killed and gas meters. Electricity was difficult time," Gov. Charlie claims because it couldn't Officials said gas company
dozens of people were in- restored to all the affected Baker said at a news con- handle the deluge, The technicians will turn all the
jured in Lawrence, North homes and businesses, but ference Sunday. "We still Boston Globe reported. The meters back after safety
Andover and Andover. gas service may not be re- have a very long way to go company told residents, inspections of the entire
Thousands were forced to stored for weeks. but we're very happy that many of whom waited system are complete — a
leave their homes. "It's evident to me and to people can return to their for several hours, to come process expected to take
Also Sunday, residents in all of us the Merrimack Val- homes this morning." back Monday. "I am tired. several weeks. q