METHUEN (CBS) – Officials went door-to-door to nearly 1,000 Methuen residents Thursday night, shutting their gas off because of a major gas outage in the city.

Methuen has activated its Emergency Management Operation, and announced Thursday evening that all city schools Pre-K through Grade 12 will be closed Friday, December 10^th.  The city’s emergency manager says there is no danger involved in this gas shutdown.

WBZ-TV’s Alana Gomez reports.

The impacted areas run from the center of town, down Pelham Street to Hampshire Road.

The gas company, Columbia Gas,  says it was doing maintenance in the city early Thursday when the gasline pressure suddenly dropped.  Columbia Gas has dedicated all nearby resources to getting customers safely turned back on.

WBZ News Radio’s Kim Tunnicliffe reports.

An emergency shelter is open at the Timony School on Pleasant Valley Street for all those left in the cold.

Officials are asking the public to call the Methuen Fire Department for information and assistance regarding the gas outage at (978) 983-8940, and if an emergency situation arises, residents are asked to call 9-1-1.