A woman died when her house exploded in northwest Indiana. Fire investigators say a natural gas leak likely caused the blast. When firefighters arrived, it took them about an hour to control the flames at the house on 29th Avenue in New Chicago. The impact of the explosion was so powerful that homes more than a block away shook.
New Chicago Fire Chief Joe Eakins said there would have to have been an “enormous” build-up of natural gas to cause an explosion of that size. Several neighbors reported smelling natural gas in the days leading up to the explosion. Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) sent investigators to secure the area.
Neighbors were devastated by the explosion. One person told ABC 7 News that the woman who died was a “comforting presence.” He said that “she just opened up her heart and had a big smile all the time.”
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Gas Companies Need to Improve Transparency to Save Lives
According to a study by the American Chemical Society, there are more than 600,000 gas leaks each year. When gas leaks lead to explosions, people can suffer serious injuries or even die, as in the case of the house explosion in New Chicago. Gas safety advocates across the country have advocated for a better public notification system to protect citizens.
After 12-year-old Linda Rogers died in a house explosion caused by a gas leak in 2018, Texas legislators introduced pipeline safety reforms, but there have been no further developments to improve the public notification process.
Pritzker Hageman’s legal team has appeared on CBS News to call for improved transparency and safety warnings from gas companies. Attorney Eric Hageman said, “I think knowledge is power. I think if people are aware of these risks they can take action.”
Talk to an Experienced Explosion Lawyer
Pritzker Hageman is one of the few law firms in the country with experience representing burn survivors and families who lost a loved one. Our explosion lawyers have gone up against large gas companies to win hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. While no amount of money could ever make up for your loss, filing a wrongful death lawsuit will help you get justice and compensation for your loved one’s death.
For a free consultation on what to expect from the legal process, contact our team of burn injury lawyers by calling 1-888-377-8900, texting 612-261-0856, or filling out the form below.