Fund For Gas Explosion Recovery Opens

NORTH ANDOVER, MA -- Officials began the process Wednesday of handing out the millions of dollars donated following the Sept. 13 gas explosions in Andover, Lawrence and North Andover that injured more than 25 people, left thousands without gas service and killed an 18-year-old Lawrence man. The Greater Lawrence Disaster Relief fund, which includes a $10 million donation from Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, began accepting applications on Wednesday.

"The Greater Lawrence Disaster Relief Fund was established to provide financial support to help mitigate the cost of this tragedy on those impacted," North Andover Town Manager Andrew Maylor said. "We are hoping that in some small way, these funds will help residents and business owners navigate through this difficult time and provide a level of support as they return to normalcy."

The fund will distribute stipends to the more than 7,5000 people and businesses without gas service. Those stipends can be used for "short- and long-term shelter and sustenance needs," according to a news release. Applications can be submitted through an online form. Residents without Internet access can file an application by calling 2-1-1.

Only one application per household will be approved. Eligible households and businesses will receive a one-time stipend check of $550.

The stipends are available to Columbia Gas customers who have been without gas since Sept. 13. Columbia Gas of Massachusetts said Tuesday it was on schedule to restore service to all of its customers in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence by a November 19 deadline. The company is using close to 200 construction crews in its effort to restore service to the 8,600 customers in the three communities still without gas service.

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).