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WEBVTT HE'S ON CHICKERING ROAD IN LAWRENCE FOR US. DOUG? DOUG: ERIKA, ANTOINETTE, THERE ARE TWO FOCUSES HERE THIS MORNING. ONE, THE SAFETY OF THE HOMES THAT ARE IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS, AND, SECONDLY, HOW IT ALL HAPPENED. NOW, WE'RE IN ONE OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS HERE IN SOUTH LAWRENCE THAT YOU CAN STILL SEE THAT'S OFF-LIMITS. AND HERE'S WHY. THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE HOMES THAT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. ONE OF UP TO 80 REPORTED GAS FIRES IN LAWRENCE, ANDOVER AND NORTH ANDOVER YESTERDAY. THINK ABOUT THAT. 80. UTILITY CREWS ALONG WITH POLICE AND FIRE HAVE BEEN WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK. THEY'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT, TO LOOK AT OVER 8,000 NATURAL GAS METERS. AT AN OVERNIGHT NEWS CONFERENCE, GOVERNOR BAKER SAYS HE KNOWS THAT PEOPLE WANT ANSWERS. >> THE FOCUS REMAINS ON ENSURING THE PUBLIC SAFETY. ONCE THAT'S COMPLETE, WE'LL WORK WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND OTHERS, TO INVESTIGATE HOW THIS OCCURRED AND HOLD THE APPROPRIATE PARTIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. DOUG: AND AS WE TOLD YOU AT THE TOP OF THE HOUR, THIS SITUATION HA TAKEN A DEADLY TOLL. A TEENAGER WAS IN THAT CAR HERE ON CHICKERING ROAD WHEN A CHIMNEY FELL OFF THAT HOME. 18-YEAR-OLD LEONEL RONDON WAS KILLED. NOW, HE DID NOT LIVE AT THIS HOME. HE LIVES ON CHESTNUT STREET IN LAWRENCE. FRIENDS ARE HEARTBROKEN. THEY DESCRIBE THE TEENAGER AS BRAVE, HUMOROUS AND CARING, SOMEONE ALWAYS MAKING SURE OTHER PEOPLE WERE OK. A TRAGIC LOSS

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A man was killed in Lawrence during dozens of home explosions and fires caused by a Columbia Gas issue on Thursday. Officials said Leonel Rondon, 18, was killed when the house at 35 Chickering Road exploded, and its chimney toppled onto the vehicle in which he was sitting. "What happened in the Merrimack Valley yesterday was a tragic incident. We are saddened to learn of the death of a young man as a result of these events. Ourthoughts and continued support are with those who have been injured andaffected," Columbia Gas said in a statement.A friend of Rondon described him as a brave, happy, humorous and caring person who always made sure his friends were OK.Officials from Lawrence, North Andover and Andover said approximately 20 teams, each consisting of a police officer, firefighter and natural gas technician are going house-to-house to approximately 8,600 affected natural gas customers to verify that the gas meters are shut off, or to shut them off. Columbia Gas, which manages the gas equipment in the region, said crews need to visit each of the affected customers to shut off each gas meter and conduct a safety inspection.The gas service will not be restored until Columbia Gas company determines it is safe to do so."We expect this will be an extended restoration effort, and we will work tirelessly to restore service to the affected customers," the company said a statement early Friday.NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said a Go Team is being launched to investigate the disaster."Pipeline is within our jurisdiction, as well. When you think about it, pipeline is a mode of transportation, just like other modes of transportation,” he said. “We need to get on scene, get on site and determine the lay of the land."The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency blamed the fires on gas lines that had become over-pressurized, but officials who responded to the area were still investigating the cause. Andover allowed residents south of Route 28 and Salem Street to return home early Friday morning, but said resident who live north of the intersection (toward Lawrence and the Merrimack River) should remain out of their homes. Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera said residents who live anywhere in South Lawrence to prepare to stay out of their homes through early Saturday. "If you live in South Lawrence, don't come back to your home until we ask you to come back to your homes," Rivera said. "We want a situation where you come back, there is no gas and there is no threat to your loved ones. We're not sure this is going to be anytime soon."State police said 70 fires, explosions and reports of gas odors were confirmed to be connected with the issue. "Residents in the affected towns of Lawrence/North Andover/Andover who have gas service from Columbia Gas should evacuate their homes immediately if they have not already done so," state police tweeted. "Gas lines are currently being depressurized by the company it will take some time." “People should expect it will be a while before they can return to their homes,” North Andover Town Manager Andrew Mayor said.Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan also advised residents that “there is no clear timeline” on returning to their homes.National Grid also turned off power to some customers in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover. Lawrence Hospital treated 13 patients, one of which was transferred to a Boston hospital. One person underwent surgery, and another person was supposed to have surgery.The patients' ages range from teens to 60s, and their injuries range from smoke inhalation to traumatic blast injuries. It's not clear if the Andover patients are the same or different from the Lawrence General and Mass General patients.WCVB reporters at the scene of some of the fires and explosions said the smell of natural gas was overwhelming and likely strong enough to make people sick. Methuen police Chief Joseph Solomon estimated that there was about 20 to 25 fires or explosions in Lawrence, 20 in Andover and about 25 in North Andover.Sky 5 was over several fires Thursday afternoon, including homes on Chickering Road and Springfield Street in Lawrence. At least 12 structure fires were left burning unattended because no fire crews were available to respond. Columbia Gas released its first statement on its website about five hours after the explosions and fires broke out. "Columbia Gas crews are currently responding to reports of multiple fires in Lawrence. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by today’s incident," the company posted. "The first priority for our crews at the scene is to ensure the safety of our customers and the community by supporting first responders and completing safety checks on our system and in the surrounding area.We appreciate the response of local emergency responders and their coordination with our teams."There are an estimated 51,000 Columbia Gas customers in the area.Gov. Charlie Baker said they were "actively monitoring the situations in the Merrimack Valley and is communicating with first responders and public safety officials. The administration urges residents to heed instructions from local officials for important public safety announcements, including evacuations and suspending gas usage."Schools in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover will be closed Friday.Friday commuter rail service on the Haverhill Line will operate only between North Station-Reading Station. Haverhill and Bradford stations will run bus shuttles to Anderson-Woburn Station.Several exits on and off Interstate 495 and Interstate 93 were closed near the affected communities. The Red Cross has established shelters at the following locations: ◾Arlington School, 150 Arlington Street, Lawrence◾Parthum School, 255 Haverhill Street, Lawrence◾North Andover High School, 430 Osgood Street, North Andover◾Cormier Youth Center, 40 Whittier Court, AndoverThe shelters will accommodate pets. For more information, call 774-204-5071.