The utility blamed for a series of gas explosions in Massachusetts has settled all class action lawsuits resulting from the disaster for $143 million.

Crews work to knock down a fire at a home on Jefferson Street in Lawrence, MA on Sep. 13, 2018. (File photo: VCG)

Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and its parent, NiSource Inc., announced the settlement Monday.

NiSource CEO Joe Hamrock said the settlement is "another important step forward" in the recovery effort.

The plaintiffs' co-lead attorney, Frank Petosa, said the settlement "will provide a full measure of compensation to thousands of residents and businesses."

The agreement is subject to court approval.

The series of explosions last Sept. 13 in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover killed one, injured two dozen and left thousands of homes and businesses without natural gas service for weeks. The explosions were blamed on over-pressurization in a gas pipeline.