HOPKINTON - Four families who live in the building
across from one that blew up in July were evacuated last night from their
apartment because of a gas leak.
A portion of Main Street from Pleasant Street to Cedar Street was blocked
and the Exxon station and Colella's Supermarket were closed, police
dispatcher Lou Gonzalez said, due to a gas leak at the Star Package Store at
72 Main St.
"We took those measures obviously for safety, and obviously because
of what happened this summer," said Gonzalez. "I know that was on
everyone's mind, and that's why downtown was closed. I may be wrong, but in
my opinion, I don't think a year ago we would have done it."
On July 24, a gas line exploded at 65 Main St., killing two young
children and leaving four young families homeless.
Heath and Tara Carey have filed suit in Middlesex Superior Court,
alleging that a leaking gas line caused their Main Street home to explode,
killing daughters Iris, 4, and Violet, 51/2.
The Careys blame NStar, Inner-Tite Corp. of Holden which made the gas
line fitting, and the building's owners, Ann-Marie and Leonard Pearson of
Hopkinton for their daughters' deaths. Heath and Tara Carey were trapped
under debris and suffered minor injuries.
Yesterday's gas leak was discovered at 7:40 p.m. by Officer Bill Burchard,
who went to the police station, which is located next to the store, for his
dinner break. Gonzalez said Burchard radioed inside the building that he
could smell a "strong odor" of natural gas at the station.
"The Fire Department responded, and one of the firefighters could
smell gas coming from the building right next to us," Gonzalez said.
Firefighters evacuated four families who lived above the package store at
8:05 p.m. Main Street was closed at 8:12 p.m. The residents were allowed
back home at 8:40 p.m.
"We had to shut it down because we didn't want anyone driving in
front of the building," said Fire Lt. Fran Clark. "The meter was
right in front of the building. We evacuated the building as a
precaution."
NStar responded to the scene, and spokeswoman Dena Lehman said it appears
someone hit a bank of five gas meters on the building. Clark said it looks
like someone backed a vehicle into it.
"Everything is shut down, but it's only the gas ranges," said
Lehman. "Heat is not affected. We're going to make repairs
tomorrow."
Clark said everything worked out well.
"It turned out to be nice and easy," he said.
