Lawrence gas leak: 'Columbia Gas has blown me up again'

LAWRENCE, Mass. — Two weeks after the one-year anniversary of the Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions, residents in Lawrence were evacuated due to a Level One gas leak.

More than 140 residents rose in the morning to the smell of gas.

Columbia Gas arrived on scene to search for the source of the leak.

Boston 25 spoke with one business owner who was out of business for months during the gas explosions and fires last September.

John Farrington, the owner of Carleen's Coffee Shoppe expressed his frustrations with Colombia Gas.

“I'm done. Columbia Gas has blown me up again for another year,” said Farrington as his restaurant remained closed during their morning rush.

“I'm out of words. I'm literally going out of business.“

He goes on to say Columbia Gas ”abandoned" him because they don't return his phone calls.

"I am in debt and up to my ears. I'm going out of business and they are doing it again. I've had enough, my employees have had enough. We are all done with this."

Lawrence business owner expresses outrage after evacuations and gas leaks News.

Families we spoke with Friday told us they feel helpless.

"We are scared, making sure he is okay, that’s my first priority. He was so little when it happened, and now he’s going through it again, rushing out of the house," said Brianna O'Conner.

Buses were used Friday to shuttle people to and from the shelter at Arlington Middle School in Lawrence.

Many families are able to get back into their homes but those who live in the South Broadway area will not be allowed back in Friday.

>> Lawrence gas leak: Sources tell 25 Investigates human error to blame for gas leak

Cox Media Group