Following the series of explosions and fires Thursday in eastern Massachusetts, the mayor of Springfield wants information from gas company officials.
Columbia Gas Company, the utility that serves the Merrimack Valley communities where the explosions occurred, has more than 100,000 customers in greater Springfield.
Mayor Domenic Sarno on Friday announced he had directed department heads, including his DPW chief and fire commissioner, to schedule a meeting with Columbia Gas officials to discuss what is being done to maintain the local gas distribution infrastructure.
" The bottom line is to make sure we are kept safe here in Springfield," Sarno said in a telephone interview.
"Also, I have reached out to my friend Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, not only with thoughts, prayers of encouragement to both he and his residents, but also for any assistance that he may need too," Sarno said in a statement released by his office.
Columbia Gas took responsibility for an explosion in downtown Springfield in November 2012 that destroyed one building, damaged many more, and injured several firefighters.
Asked Friday about the utlity company's response to that disaster, Sarno said it was " very very good."
Columbia Gas Co. representatives did not participate in the news conferences held Thursday night and Friday morning by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and local officials in Lawrence to discuss the aftermath of the explosions and fires.
Congressman Seth Moulton, who represents parts of Andover and North Andover that were both affected by the explosions, complained on Twitter that his calls to Columbia Gas had gone unanswered for 12 hours.
A team from the National Transportation Safety Board arrived in Massachusetts Friday to begin an investigation into the cause of the explosions and fires.
