2009A house on Eastern Avenue exploded, and several more were damaged after a gas-fueled explosion.Events & Anniversaries, Fires

The natural gas explosion destroyed 76 Eastern Avenue, home of Gloucester Patrolman Wayne Sargent, and damaged several surrounding homes. Luckily, Sargent survived the blast. National Grid had been working in the neighborhood for more than a month searching for the source of a persistent gas smell.