St. Augustine School Evacuated After Contractor Hits Gas Line

ANDOVER, MA -Columbia Gas crews responded to Central Street in Andover Tuesday afternoon after construction crews hit a gas line, causing nearby homes and businesses to be evacuated.

According to the gas company's Twitter account, the line was damaged by an independent third party contractor during excavation.

Andover Fire and Rescue also responded to the incident, according to a release from the department Tuesday afternoon.

Just before 11 a.m., fire and rescue crews responded to Central and Chestnut Streets after a high pressure gas line was struck and damaged during water main replacement work.

St. Augustine School was also briefly evacuated as a precaution after fire crews determined that the wind was blowing the gas fumes towards the school building. Students were brought to St. Augustine Parish nearby, where they were picked up by their families.

Andover Fire and Rescue said no natural gas was detected inside any of the homes and residents have since returned to their homes after each house was checked.

The company said there is currently no active gas leak or disruption of natural gas service.

Columbia Gas crews will remain onsite as they complete the repair, the company said. The work will continue throughout the afternoon and traffic delays are expected until around 4 p.m.

This incident comes almost exactly two years after an error by the company set off more than 130 explosions in Andover, North Andover in Lawrence that killed one and forced thousands of people to leave their homes for months

Two weeks ago Massachusetts, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker lifted the state of emergency that he declared on Sept. 14, 2018 following the explosions.

"Incidents like this carry a special significance in our community as a result of the events of two years ago," said Chief Michael Mansfield. "But I am proud of all of the residents and students who responded calmly in evacuating, and I'm grateful for our firefighters who responded quickly to mitigate the danger."