LAWRENCE (CBS/AP) – Officials are saying it could take weeks before residents of three Massachusetts communities torn by natural gas explosions could have their service fully restored.

Gov. Charlie Baker said Friday that more than 100 gas technicians are being deployed throughout the night and into Saturday to make sure each home is safe to enter. He says no one in the area should turn on their gas unless a crew turns it on for them.

Even after residents return and their electricity is restored, gas service won’t be turned on until technicians can inspect every connection in each home — a process that could take weeks.

Watch: Update From Eversource Gas President



William Akley, President of Eversource Gas Operations said restoring the system is a lengthy process. “We are talking weeks,” Akley said. “We are looking for every opportunity to expedite that as fast as possible but we will not sacrifice public safety nor do anything to risk the integrity of this system.”

Baker says Eversource is bringing in additional resources. Earlier on Friday, Baker authorized the utility to take management control over the effort to safely restore services.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)