Displaced residents staying in hotel rooms following early morning gas leak

LAWRENCE, Mass. — Over 100 people have been evacuated from their homes near South Broadway Street in Lawrence after a "major gas leak" Friday morning.

There were no reported injuries.

"The damage to the line was caused by an isolated incident," Governor Charlie Baker said in a news conference Friday. "The line has been isolated and turned off."

Most evacuated residents were allowed to return home safely Friday afternoon, according to Governor Baker. At a news conference shortly before 2 p.m., Baker said there was still a small group who would not be able to return home until gas service was fully restored to the area.

As of Friday night, those who weren't allowed back into their homes were given hotel vouchers for the night. Some residents who were allowed to go back but have no power or gas are also being assisted and placed in hotels.

"Right now we have no gas and no light, so we can't take a shower, we can't eat, we can't cook," said Billy Andujar. "At least we can come here and grab our clothes."​​​​​

>> MORE: Lawrence gas leak: City officials confirm human error caused gas leak

Residents displaced by the gas leak waited for hours at a shelter set up by the Red Cross at the Arlington Middle School.

The chaos brought back the horrific memories of last year's gas explosions that rocked the Merrimack Valley.

"I can't be going through this," said Aileen Corniel. "It brings everything right back."

Baker added the Department of Public Utilities brought in other energy companies to help Columbia Gas complete the work.

"It's always a strange thing to be back talking about gas only a year after this thing happened," Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera said after the governor spoke. "There is no public danger...people will be back home today."

Officials said at a news conference Friday morning at least 100 people had been evacuated, gas has been shut off and no injuries have been reported. However, One person was taken to the hospital due to a possible heart attack, Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty said.

"I think this is above a grade one leak...we had a high-pressure leak, it was coming up heavy," Chief Moriarty said on scene Friday morning.

He said there had been no reports of fires or explosions.

Mayor Rivera said Lawrence Public Schools would be open, with the exception of the Weatherbee School and Lawrence Catholic Academy. Though Lawrence High School students were eventually dismissed for the day due to a separate, unrelated incident.

Mayor Rivera said families in the area should get out of their homes and take shelter at the Arlington Street School.

Mark Kempic, president of Columbia Gas, blamed for last year's explosions, said no company crews were working the area and the line is new.

All gas was isolated and shut off by 5 a.m., according to Columbia Gas.

Crews were sent door-to-door to establish a perimeter and make sure no gas had migrated into homes or buildings.

Normally scheduled work was suspended for the day.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group