Last Andover Restaurant Reopens After Gas Explosions

ANDOVER, MA -- Andover officials were celebrating the reopening of Yella Grille Friday. It was the last restaurant to reopen after being forced to close following the Sept. 13 gas explosions in Andover, North Andover in Lawrence.

The restaurant at 16 Post Office Square reopened Thursday and was scheduled to have a grand re-opening celebration Friday night. The celebration included a performance by fire dancer Tetra.

"We are so grateful for the support we received, not only from the state and local government, but from our loving community of customers and friends as well," co-owner Danielle Berdahn said. "We were kept afloat by the kind words and support from our Yella community, and we are so excited to be able to reopen our doors."

Dozens of Merrimack Valley businesses were closed for weeks and months following the explosions, which also left thousands of residents without heat or hot water. The explosions, which were set off when work by Columbia Gas of Massachusetts caused over-pressurization in gas lines, damaged or destroyed more than 130 buildings and killed an 18-year-old Lawrence man.

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Photo of fire dancer Tetra courtesy by Keith Simmons. Used with permission.

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