UPDATE: Verizon Service Restoration Efforts Under Way After Lawrence, Mass., Fire

LAWRENCE, Mass., Aug. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Work has begun to restore Verizon services for customers in a number of communities in the Lawrence area after a fire under the Central Bridge on North Canal Street in Lawrence early this morning (Aug. 27) damaged Verizon cables.

Verizon crews are on the scene splicing new cables and, working with state and local officials, have already rerouted emergency lines for public safety agencies. Verizon trailers have been set up at the scene, and crews will work in round-the-clock shifts until all services are restored.

Due to the severity of the damage, Verizon officials continue to assess the impact.

Some Verizon customers in Andover, Lawrence, Littleton, Methuen, North Andover, North Reading and Tewksbury have lost some Verizon services as a result of the fire. Also, voice and data services for some business and government customers may be affected. Customers in other communities may be impacted as well.  

Customers who have lost service should report it by calling 1 800-VERIZON.

Verizon will provide a further update by 10 a.m. ET Tuesday.   

About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 94 million retail customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 188,000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.  

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SOURCE Verizon