Lawrence Schools Reopen Days After Merrimack Valley Explosions

LAWRENCE (CBS) -- Schools in Lawrence reopened Tuesday after crews worked to assure all of the buildings are equipped with gas and electricity after the Merrimack Valley gas explosions and fires. The announcement was met with mixed reactions.

Some people responded to the tweeted announcement saying students who didn't have electricity or gas would have a hard time getting ready for school. Others mentioned the recent tragic death of Leonel Rondon, an 18-year-old Phoenix Charter Lawrence Academy student, who was killed by a gas explosion.

Grief Counselors will be on hand for anyone who is mourning Leonel or working to cope with the events of last week.

Others thought kids going back to school might be beneficial.

"I'm glad they are back to school, back to normal," said parent. "I do feel bad for everybody in the south doesn't have any gas and probably struggling to cook and clean their family."

The Claims and Resource Center running out of the High School Learning Center on Monday was moved to 1 Market Street. It will be open Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m..

Even before the center had opened its doors, hundreds of people were waiting in line.

For most, it was not the first time they had to wait.

Wanda Gonzalez explained, "I came Sunday, they told us to go home, then we came yesterday and we waited for a ticket, and then they told us to come today."

She was prepared with the receipts for everything she spent money on since being displaced.

"We don't have any relatives so we ended up doing to a hotel," Gonzalez said. She had to drive to Epping, New Hampshire to purchase an electric burner because they were sold out in closer stores.

A Recovery Resource Center will be open Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Elks Lodge on 652 Andover Street.