WCVB Newscenter Team5 Investigates gas company in three part segments:

Thousands Of Gas Leaks Kill Mass. Trees

Gas Companies Fall Short On Safety Regulations

Gas Co. Failing To Fix Hazardous Leaks

Gas Safety Inc. has reported over 330 leaks in Newton that have been within the root zones of trees. Some of these leaks have represented existing hazards and required continuous action by National Grid until the hazardous conditions no longer existed.  National Grid crews responded to a hazardous leak reported by Gas Safety Inc. on Monday 5-10-2010 at 318 California Street in the Nonantum section of Newton.

318 California Street Newton, Massachusetts 5-10=2010

 Several trees by Newton City Hall on Homer Street have visible signs of gas damage and high gas readings were reported to national Grid on 5-14-2020 are pictured here:

Homer Street by Newton City Hall gas affected tree 5-14-2010

Homer Street by Newton City Hall gas affected tree 5-14-2010

Homer Street by Newton City Hall gas affected tree 5-14-2010

Homer Street by Newton City Hall gas affected tree 5-14-2010

May 12,

More problems in Cleveland

Blast levels 3 Cleveland homes; 11 people hurt

May 16

Michigan Explosion May 15, 2010:

Natural gas leak likely caused apartment building explosion in Kentwood

Kentwood Michigan 5-15-2010

351 Watertown Street Newton, Massachusetts hazardous conditions in manholes

Over 300 leaks have been detected within root zones of trees in the city of Newton Massachusetts. Many hazardous leaks have been detected that required continuous action by National Grid until the conditions no longer existed.  Hazardous conditions in manholes in the Nonantum section of Newton at 351 Watertown Street  were reported on 5-3-2010. National Grid crews responded and imediately started to clear the manhole structures of the potentially explosive conditions. Hazardous conditions in manholes if ignited can cause subsurface fires and manhole covers to fly off as evidenced in the recent report from Philadelphia. If you smell gas or see dead or dying vegetation contact your local gas company to investigate.

WCVB Boston team 5 investigative report:

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/23482724/index.html

Over 275 leaks have been detected within the root zones of trees within  the City of Newton and reported to National Grid. Some of these leaks have represented existing hazards to structures and required continuous action until the hazards no longer existed.

257 Webster Street @ Murray Road 4-26-2010

A hazardous leak was detected at 257 Webster Street on 4/26/2010. National Grid workers took continuous action until the hazardous conditions no longer existed.

258 Lexington Street Newton, Massachusetts 4-27-2010

On 4/27/2010 a  hazardous leak was detected at 158 Lexington Street. National Grid crews took continuous action until the hazardous condition no longer existed.

On 4/29/2010 multiple leaks were detected outside the Horace Mann School, 687 Watertown Street at Ablemarle Drive. Gas a was detected along the Watertown Street side and on Ablemarle Road, affecting several trees.

Horace Mann School 687 Watertown Street Newton, Massachusetts 4-30-2010

Further down Ablemarle Road, another leak was detected at the City of Newton Parks building, affecting several newly planted trees and some older cherry trees.

250 Ablemarle Road Newton, Massachusetts 5-1-2010