Thursday, May 7, 2009

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Gas company to inspect lines near Mass. explosion

SOMERSET, Mass. -- New England Gas Co. has agreed to test natural gas lines in a Somerset neighborhood that was the site of a fatal home explosion in February.

Neighbors had demanded the inspections in the wake of the Feb. 19 explosion on New York Avenue that killed 62-year-old Rose Marie Rebello. A gas leak is suspected of causing the explosion.

Somerset Selectman Chairman Will Meehan tells the Herald News of Fall River that the gas company agreed to the voluntary inspections at a meeting Wednesday night with town officials and state lawmakers.

Meehan says the company agreed to prepare a detailed plan of the inspections by the end of the month.

Some of the gas pipes in the area are more than 50 years old.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)