Federal officials say a utility company blamed for a series of natural gas explosions in Massachusetts has agreed to plead guilty to breaking pipeline safety laws.
The U.S. Attorney''s Office in Boston tweeted Wednesday that Columbia Gas of Massachusetts will plead guilty to violating the Pipeline Safety Act following a federal investigation into the September 2018 explosions that left left one person dead.
A spokesman for Columbia Gas of Massachusetts didn't immediately return a phone message.
FILE - In this Sep. 21, 2018, file photo, fire investigators pause while searching the debris at a home which exploded following a gas line failure in Lawrence, Mass. The U.S. Attorney's office in Boston announced Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, that Columbia Gas Columbia agreed to plead guilty to violating the Pipeline Safety Act following an investigation into the catastrophic gas explosions. (AP PhotoCharles Krupa, File)
Federal officials are expected to hold a news conference Wednesday morning to announce more details.
The explosions and fires in the Merrimack Valley communities of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover injured about 25 others, and damaged or destroyed dozens of buildings. Many people were forced into temporary shelter, and thousands of homes and businesses went without natural gas service for weeks and even months during the winter.
Leonel Rondon, 18, died when a chimney collapsed on his vehicle in the driveway of a friend’s home.
FILE — In this Oct. 25, 2018, file photo, Doug Sheff, right, an attorney for the family of Leonel Rondon, pictured at left, speaks during a news conference, in Boston. Rondon died Sept. 13, 2018, in Lawrence, Mass., after the chimney of an exploding house crashed on to his car and crushed him. The U.S. Attorney's office in Boston announced Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, that Columbia Gas Columbia agreed to plead guilty to violating the Pipeline Safety Act following an investigation into the catastrophic gas explosions. (AP PhotoSteven Senne, File)