— There’s no evidence to suggest the gas explosions that rocked communities north of Boston were intentional, a federal investigator said Saturday. Investigators will also look at how local Columbia Gas officials responded to a “pressure increase” in the Lawrence area that was detected at the company’s pipeline control centre in Columbus, Ohio, prior to the explosions and fires. “We’re very interested to understand the operations of Columbia Gas,” he said. Meanwhile, a report of a strong gas odour brought officials back to a part of Lawrence most impacted by the explosions and fires Saturday morning. Firefighters and gas workers opened manholes, tested gas levels and tried to gain access to businesses on the city’s south side, but the situation appeared to be contained by 11:15 a.m.Local officials also warned about donation scammers.

Source: National Post September 15, 2018 15:21 UTC