Amherst Businesses Evacuated Due to Gas Leak

Several Amherst businesses were evacuated on Friday morning after a major release of propane gas on Route 101A.

Amherst Fire Chief Mark Boynton said his department was dispatched to a report of a strong gas odor inside and outside Michael's arts and crafts store on Route 101A at 6:41 a.m. 

Deputy Chief Matt Conley was the first to arrive and quickly realized the likely source of the gas was the Liberty Utilities bulk storage facility on Caldwell Drive. A large cloud of gas was discovered, and mutual aid was requested from the Milford and Merrimack fire departments.

Upon investigation, Boynton said it was determined that a tractor trailer delivering 9,000 gallons of propane had accidentally pumped his entire load out a relief valve, discharging all 9,000 gallons out the end of an open pipe at the rear of the facility.

Boynton said calls for an odor of propane were received from as far way as Truell Road, Howe Drive and Columbia Drive. He said firefighters evacuated businesses on Howe Drive, Caldwell Drive and Columbia Drive.  

Just over an hour later, the gas had dissipated enough to declare the situation under control and allow employees at the evacuated business to return to work.

An investigation of the incident will be conducted next week with Amerigas officials, who lease the facility from Liberty Utilities, to determine how this happened and keep it from happening again.