Progress reported in restoring gas service in Boston

By Globe Staff

The blue flames are coming back on, gradually, in the North End and Financial District.

National Grid says it has restored natural gas service to more than half of the 410 customers who lost service after a weekend water main break that broke a gas line and sent torrents of water streaming into the company's distribution network.

The company said in a statement this morning that "virtually all" of the North End customers were back on line.

The company also said it had introduced gas back into 98 percent of the 13 miles of affected gas mains and the next task is the "tedious operation" of pumping water out of customers' pipes.

Hundreds of residents and dozens of businesses coped with a fourth day without gas Tuesday.

The company said it had opened a customer service center this morning inside Boston City Hall, where residents can get information and help submitting claims. Boston Water and Sewer Commission staff will also be available. Customers can also call National Grid at 1-800-732-3400 for more information.

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