Residents worry about frozen pipes as temperatures begin to drop in Lawrence

Nearly three months after the Merrimack Valley gas explosions, residents in Lawrence are still without heat and hot water, and they now have something else to worry about as temperatures begin to drop.

With possible freezing temperatures on the way, residents are now concerned their pipes could freeze.

Even those who have their heat and hot water are forced to worry, as most say they know someone who isn't in the same boat as them.

"My son actually lives on that side, but he has gas," Lee Fickenworth said. "But, I have friends that live over in South Lawrence."

Residents in the area have sympathy for each other as Lawrence, Andover and North Andover all continue to go through an unimaginable struggle.

Now, with winter-like weather possibly on the way, residents are left to fear for another costly and messy expense.

"Just hoping that their pipes don't freeze," Fickenworth said.

Residents have complained that Columbia gas hasn't been clear or direct with folks who need answers, and say customer service representatives have been inefficient.

To pile onto the frustration, they're unsure if Columbia Gas will have homes back up and running before winter sets in.

"Very worried," Homayoun Maali said. "Many people in my neighborhood, they don’t live in the house. They live in the hotel, they’re very worried for additional costs to warm up the house and the pipes."

Those in the area also aren't forgetting about 18-year-old Leonel Rondon, who was killed when the first home on Chickering Road exploded.

Residents and city councilors gathered at a community meeting Wednesday night to discuss the idea of changing the street name in the late teen's honor.

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"As a citizen, I want to see a change of the name because he’s the first one who died on September 13," Maali said. "For us, it’s very important and symbolic in nature."

Others don't feel the same.

"I just don’t think that naming a street is going to improve anything," Fickenworth said. "It’s unfortunate circumstances that happened. Again, I feel sorry for the family. I feel sorry for persons that lost their homes, but I do not think it would be appropriate to name that street after."

Gov. Charlie Baker spoke to residents in Lawrence Wednesday afternoon, and said Columbia Gas will pay for Thanksgiving dinners for everyone affected.

Cox Media Group