Framingham Asst. Fire Chief Mike Dutcher was one of thousands of regional firefighters who have responded to three Merrimack Valley communities in the 72 hours after a series of natural gas explosions and fires devastated the area.
The blasts destroyed or damaged dozens of homes, killed a teenager, injured dozens and forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes and businesses.
“There were very few people around,” he said. “To see that sort of devastation is overwhelming.”
As part of the state’s structural task force, Dutcher worked in the area on Friday and Saturday going door-to-door in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence ensuring that all the gas meters were shut off. Dutcher said they stayed from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., into Saturday morning.
“This is why we join this profession,” he said. “It’s really to help people.”