A series of fierce gas explosions and fires rocked three towns north of Boston in the late afternoon on Sept. 13. Between 60 and 80 buildings were set ablaze by at least three explosions that forced the evacuation of more than 8,500 buildings in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.
Approximately 25 people were treated for injuries, some of whom remained hospitalized early on Sept. 14, while one death was reported late on the day of the explosion. According to the Essex District Attorney's office, an 18-year-old man was sitting in his car in Lawrence when the chimney from a home that exploded landed on him.