Falling ice may have damaged gas line before Nashua, New Hampshire explosion

Falling ice may have damaged a natural gas line linked to an explosion at a mental health center in Nashua, New Hampshire Monday.

Firefighters initially responded for an odor of gas and a hissing sound at Greater Nashua Mental Health on Amherst Street at about 2:30 p.m.

"When they arrived on scene, they quickly called for more resources. A Mayday was transmitted once the explosion took place," Nashua Fire Chief Steve Buxton said.

The explosion rattled homes and buildings nearby.

"The whole building shook," said witness Lacey Aponte. "I thought a whole car hit the other side of the building. It was pretty bad."

After the explosion, the entire building was engulfed in flames.

"This was a four-alarm fire which is pretty significant for the city," Buxton said. "That brings all of our resources to the scene."

Three firefighters were taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. One was released Monday evening. The other two spent the night in the hospital.

Buxton said at least one hydrant's line appeared to be frozen.

"Obviously all the elements causes us to work a little slower, have to work a little harder," he said. "They had to overcome a couple of dead hydrants to establish a water supply. We needed a large amount of water to put the fire out."

With hoses running more than half a mile down Amherst Street, people like Amely Collado were stuck in their cars for more than three hours.

"Literally it was like the whole building was on fire," Collado said. "I have never seen something catch on fire before, but that was like insane."

Collado was among those who got an emergency alert on her phone. People in the area were urged to refrain from using burners or other flames. That notice was lifted once emergency crews deemed this an isolated incident.

The investigation into the gas explosion and fire is ongoing, but investigators are looking into whether the gas line was damaged by falling ice. 

The building was completely destroyed. All 40 employees made it out of the building and patients are accounted for too.

"I think the biggest thing, our safety message is if you smell gas call 911 and get out," New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said.