In brief
On Monday, a natural gas leak caused an explosion at the Greater Nashua Mental Health Center, injuring three firefighters who were responding to the scene. The building suffered significant damage, but all 40 occupants were safely evacuated. Local authorities issued alerts to nearby residents to prepare for potential evacuations as emergency responders battled the blaze. This incident follows a trend of deadly gas-related explosions, emphasizing ongoing safety concerns.
NASHUA, N.H. (AP) — A natural gas leak caused an explosion and fire at the Greater Nashua Mental Health Center on Monday, injuring three firefighters. Fortunately, everyone inside the facility, which was housing approximately 40 individuals at the time of the incident, evacuated safely before the explosion. The state's Fire Marshal, Sean Toomey, indicated that firefighters were still investigating the gas odor reported by a caller when the explosion occurred, resulting in part of the building collapsing. Fire Chief Steve Buxton reported that the firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment. Following the explosion, authorities issued warnings to nearby residents and businesses, advising them to extinguish any flames and be prepared for potential evacuations. Eyewitness Jesci Larochelle, who lives less than a mile away from the incident, described feeling her home shake and immediately checked for damage after receiving the alert. Nashua, located about 45 miles north of Boston, is home to this mental health center that offers substance misuse services as well as care for deaf and elderly clients. The blast, which destroyed parts of the building, resulted in firefighting efforts being complicated by the severe cold weather currently affecting the region. New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte expressed her gratitude towards the heroic actions of emergency responders during this challenging situation. The explosion draws parallels to a previous incident at a Pennsylvania nursing home last year, which resulted in fatalities and ongoing investigations into gas safety procedures.
