Gas blast has lasting emotional effect

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The sight and sounds of the gas explosion on Worthington Street still haunt many people who were in the blast's path.

Danielle Suber and her four-year-old son were eating dinner in their Chestnut Street apartment at the time.

She told 22News, “It's scary, we were blown back into a wall, now my son is having issues at school; he keeps hearing noises and I can't sleep at night."

They are still waiting to find out when and if they can go home.

Suber said, “It's hell, I mean me and my son are out on the streets basically we're staying with friends, family, I've lost work because of it I pretty much have nothing right now." 

The tension spreads across the city.

Someone smelled gas at the Friends of the Homeless shelter down the street from the blast site prompting an evacuation.

That turned out to be a false alarm, but many are erring on the side of caution.

Elizabeth Dawson, who lives at the shelter, said, “I think it's needed because a lot of people could have gotten hurt from a lot more people could have gotten hurt from that explosion there and there's a lot of people here so I think it's needed."

The Columbia Gas claims center at Springfield City Hall is now closed, anyone with claims can call 800-451-4527.

So far the company has taken 427 claims from residents and businesses.