NASHUA, N.H. — A natural gas leak caused an explosion and fire at the Greater Nashua Mental Health center on Monday, resulting in injuries to three firefighters. Thankfully, all 40 occupants in the building were able to evacuate safely.
Emergency responders arrived after receiving a call about the smell of gas. As firefighters investigated, the explosion occurred, collapsing part of the building. The injured firefighters were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Eyewitness Jesci Larochelle, who lives nearby, reported feeling her house shake and quickly searched for potential damage after hearing about the explosion.
Authorities issued alerts to surrounding neighborhoods, urging residents to extinguish any fires and prepare to evacuate. Nashua is about 45 miles north of Boston, a busy area known for its mental health services, including those for deaf and older adults.
The blast destroyed significant parts of the facility, and strong winter conditions complicated firefighting efforts. Governor Kelly Ayotte expressed gratitude towards the firefighters, acknowledging their heroic actions in the face of danger. The incident recalls recent tragic explosions linked to gas leaks, including one that claimed three lives at a nursing home in Pennsylvania last year.
