NASHUA, N.H. (AP) — A significant explosion caused by a natural gas leak at a New Hampshire mental health center left three firefighters injured on Monday, while ensuring the safety of the building's occupants who successfully evacuated.
Around 40 individuals were present at the Greater Nashua Mental Health facility when an alarming odor of gas prompted a call to 911. State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey stated that while firefighters were on the scene investigating, the explosion occurred, resulting in part of the building collapsing. Nashua Fire Chief Steve Buxton confirmed that the injured firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were subsequently transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Local authorities swiftly issued alerts to surrounding homes and businesses, advising residents to ensure that all burners and flames were extinguished and preparing for potential evacuations.
Jesci Larochelle, a nearby resident, reported feeling her home shake as if a tree had fallen when the explosion occurred. She began assessing her property for damage upon receiving the alert.
Nashua, located approximately 45 miles north of Boston, is home to the center which provides essential services for substance misuse as well as support for the deaf and elderly, situated on a busy commercial roadway.
The blast may have caused extensive destruction to the facility, with aerial footage capturing flames and smoke emanating from the wreckage as debris was strewn across the snow-covered grounds and in the adjacent parking lot.
Governor Kelly Ayotte expressed her gratitude toward the “heroic efforts” of first responders during the ongoing extreme cold weather that hampered firefighting efforts. The incident resonates with a previous tragedy in Pennsylvania, where a natural gas explosion at a nursing home resulted in fatalities and injuries, leading to lawsuits and federal investigations.
Around 40 individuals were present at the Greater Nashua Mental Health facility when an alarming odor of gas prompted a call to 911. State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey stated that while firefighters were on the scene investigating, the explosion occurred, resulting in part of the building collapsing. Nashua Fire Chief Steve Buxton confirmed that the injured firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were subsequently transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Local authorities swiftly issued alerts to surrounding homes and businesses, advising residents to ensure that all burners and flames were extinguished and preparing for potential evacuations.
Jesci Larochelle, a nearby resident, reported feeling her home shake as if a tree had fallen when the explosion occurred. She began assessing her property for damage upon receiving the alert.
Nashua, located approximately 45 miles north of Boston, is home to the center which provides essential services for substance misuse as well as support for the deaf and elderly, situated on a busy commercial roadway.
The blast may have caused extensive destruction to the facility, with aerial footage capturing flames and smoke emanating from the wreckage as debris was strewn across the snow-covered grounds and in the adjacent parking lot.
Governor Kelly Ayotte expressed her gratitude toward the “heroic efforts” of first responders during the ongoing extreme cold weather that hampered firefighting efforts. The incident resonates with a previous tragedy in Pennsylvania, where a natural gas explosion at a nursing home resulted in fatalities and injuries, leading to lawsuits and federal investigations.
