Boston

Gas Main Leak Fire Finally Extinguished in Boston's Roslindale Neighborhood

A fire sparked by a gas main break on Sunday night was finally extinguished Tuesday after crews put in a temporary line to avoid cutting off heat to thousands of customers in a Boston neighborhood during extremely cold temperatures.

National Grid crews had been working around the clock in sub-freezing temperatures to build a temporary line since the fire, which had flames shooting up over a sidewalk, started on New Year's Eve on Hyde Park Avenue in the city's Roslindale neighborhood. Utility workers are now working on permanent repairs for the main line and to investigate what caused the break.

People who live in the area have been adjusting to the slow process, especially since part of busy Hyde Park Avenue was shut down.

"I had to have The Ride come and drop me off on the back, because all of that was blocked off," Shennetta Carpenter, a resident who lives nearby, said.

Through it all, customers have had gas service, though 24 people in three homes close to the break were evacuated.

"We've been in contact with them constantly. Hopefully we'll be able to get them back into their establishments in short order," National Grid spokesperson Bob Kievra said.

Four workers were injured when the gas main broke on Sunday night. They have since been released from area hospitals.

It's still unclear what caused the broken main, but once it's inactive, National Grid said they will investigate.

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