Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency for three communities affected by the explosions from a natural gas leak.
Columbia Gas distributes natural gas to roughly 321,000 residential, and the explosions and gas cutoff Thursday affected more than 8,000 Massachusetts residents, USA Today reported.
As people grow angry with being kept away from their homes while Columbia Gas conducted safety inspections, Baker invoked a provision Friday that allows him to redirect management of the disaster to a different utility.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities turned over the handling of the situation to Eversource, which provides electric and gas to customers throughout New England.
President of gas operations for Eversource William Akley said Friday that residents displaced by the explosions could likely return to their homes as early as the next couple of days.
The suspected cause of the explosions are over-pressurized gas lines and older gas line infrastructure, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
The gas-linked explosions completely destroyed dozens of homes in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover. Twenty-five people were injured in the explosions, and 18-year-old Leonel Rondon was killed.
Officials are also warning citizens that there could be a scam targeting those who wish to help those affected by the blasts and fires, Time reported.
Locals of the three communities said they have been receiving calls from people claiming to be collecting donations on behalf of a local firefighters association to help with the response to the fires.
