Businesses still dealing with impact of gas explosions 1 year later

LAWRENCE, Mass. — As Andover, Lawrence and North Andover prepare to mark one year since the Merrimack Valley gas explosions, businesses are still dealing with the impact.

Some businesses are open, but say it's not the same. Jim's Original Subs was forced to close last year and while the orders are still flowing through, some longtime customers haven't returned.

"You think of the anniversary coming up, and I'm like, oh no because it's not a good memory for me," said owner Jim Barbagallo.

His business was one of dozens in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover damaged by the gas explosions.

"Immediately shut all of the gas off and had to evacuate the building," he said.

It was shut down for two months.

Since then, Columbia Gas paid for lost wages for workers and for lost business, though Barbagallo tells us he'll never catch up.

The situation is a bit different at LaPlume printing. They had a fire in the boiler room, but they were able to get back up and running within a day.

"Our boiler was literally on fire to the point where I said, that should never happen, because you could see the flames coming out the side," said Scott Morton.

Morton couldn't get through to the fire department so he called police.

"The dispatch gal said the Lawrence Fire Department is fighting 20 fires up and down Broadway," he said.

Morton and his staff put the fire out themselves. On Thursday, they're running like nothing happened with a boiler replaced by the gas company.

"Based on how Columbia Gas helped us get back to normal it's really a thing of the past, I hate to say it. It is," said Morton.

LaPlume was lucky because people here knew what to do. He feels for others and he says there is still work to be done by Columbia Gas.

>> NEW TODAY: Columbia Gas to inspect 700 abandoned gas lines

Governor Charlie Baker's Office sent the following:

"As the safety and security of all residents is the top priority of the Baker-Polito Administration, the administration has taken numerous steps to strengthen gas infrastructure safety measures, including signing legislation requiring certified professional engineers to approve natural gas work, hiring an independent evaluator to assess the safety of the natural gas distribution system, and ensuring that all natural gas companies adopt recommended comprehensive pipeline safety management standards.

Additionally, the Department of Public Utilities has nearly doubled its staff of Public Utility Engineers for on-site audits and safety procedures, completed operational reviews, and will collaborate on best safety practices across the gas, electric, and transportation divisions to ensure the state's natural gas distribution system is operated in a safe and reliable manner."

– Katie Gronendyke, EEA

Cox Media Group