Some Stores Reopen After Massive Rockslide At Merrimack Premium Outlets Punctures Gas Main

MERRIMACK, NH — Merrimack Fire responded to the Merrimack Premium Outlets on Wednesday at 7:10 a.m. for a report of a strong smell of natural gas.

Arriving firefighters reported an active gas leak and requested Liberty Utilities to the scene and Merrimack police to shut off the road accessing the large outlet mall.

Merrimack Fire Lt. Christopher Wyman said a large rock wall behind the mall building began to collapse, sending large boulders into the building and puncturing the main gas main that provides service to the mall.

The break in the gas main is under the large boulders, and rocks continue to slide from the unstable wall. The access road to the mall is closed to all traffic except emergency personnel.

Eversource was called to the scene to shut off power to the entire complex due to the high gas levels. Starbucks near the entrance to the mall was forced to close down due to their gas service being shut off.

Once the situation with the gas was stabilized, the fire department will ventilate the entire complex and check on gas level readings until they are at a safe level.

The wall continues to be unstable, which will prevent work on the gas line at this time. Engineers will have to be consulted on how to best stabilize the wall, and crews will then begin to remove the boulders that have slid, puncturing the gas line and blocking an access road.

Security personnel from the mall blocking the access road advised customers the mall would be closed for at least the day. At this time, there were no injuries to firefighters or customers.

Update: Some stores are scheduled to reopen on Thursday after a rockslide and gas leak shut down the entire complex.

Check the list on the link to the list from the mall's website

Additional information will be added as it becomes available.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news