Trending

Massachusetts utility to provide Thanksgiving dinners to explosion victims

A Massachusetts utility will try to cheer up families displaced by a gas explosion with Thanksgiving dinners. Photo: Boston25News.com

LAWRENCE, Mass. — The utility company behind the natural gas explosions in Massachusetts in September is planning to provide 20,000 hot Thanksgiving dinners to residents who have still not returned to their homes.

>> Read more trending news

Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera said meals provided by Columbia Gas will be served at the temporary trailer parks where some residents are being housed, as well as at a hall in Lawrence. There will also be several takeout locations.

Gov. Charlie Baker said more than 2,000 families, or about 7,500 people, are currently in temporary housing.

The disaster killed one person and injured dozens of others in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, and destroyed or damaged more than 100 homes. Thousands of homes and businesses lost gas service.

Columbia says it hopes to have gas fully restored by mid-December.