LAWRENCE, Mass (WBZ NewsRadio) -- It's exactly 6 months to the day that homes and businesses in the Merrimack Valley were rocked by a series of fires and gas explosions.
A number of restaurants and stores were forced to close down for several months and owners say that they're still hurting.
A number of businesses on South Broadway in Lawrence tell WBZ NewsRadio that sales have not rebounded since they reopened in the wake of the gas explosions
Jose Santos, owner of popular market, says that it has been “very, very slow.”
The accountant at Gomez Meats, Francisco Paulino says they haven't received a cent from Columbia Gas since filing a $60,0000 claim for the losses they incurred.
“They have adjustors that treat us as if we are asking for a favor. We are the claimants,” Paulino said.
Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera is not surprised by the lack of response from the utility.
“The attorneys, the accountants and the insurance people run this operation and it's a heartless operation. They're not dealing with people. Frankly, they don't care,” Rivera said.
WBZ NewsRadio has reached out to Columbia Gas for comment.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports