Updated March 27, 2024. A duplex explosion in American Fork, Utah, tookthe life of one woman and sent another to the hospital early Wednesday morning. When first responders arrived at the retirement community on 67 North 370 East Street, they found a devastating scene with scattered debris, significant structural damage, and an active fire.
Sadly, 78-year-old Kathy Harrison died in the explosion. A neighbor told KUTV, “Kathy was the type that on her way out of the neighborhood in her car would stop and say hello if they were outside and meet them that way.”
Another duplex resident, 82-year-old Shirley Hunt, survived the explosion. Shirley’s daughter Tammy Beck told KSL TV, “It’s a miracle. My mom is a feisty little thing, I’m not surprised she survived, but she has no clue how she made it out.” A pet dog also survived.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. The day before the explosion, crews from Dominion Energy were completing routine maintenance in the area.
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Duplex House Explosion Lawsuit
In the aftermath of a deadly explosion at a duplex, rental house, or apartment building, burn survivors and surviving family members may have the right to seek compensation through an explosion lawsuit. While no financial compensation can replace a loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit can help secure justice and financial support during this difficult time.
An experienced explosion lawyer will conduct a cause and origin investigation to identify the cause of the explosion and determine liability. A duplex explosion investigation will seek answers to critical questions, such as:
- Was there a gas leak or did a company strike a gas pipeline, causing a leak?
- Was a propane tank recently installed, filled, or maintained?
- Did anyone report smelling gas before the duplex exploded?
- Was a stove or other appliance connected to the explosion or its severity?
- What was the location of the explosion?
- Was there a fire and how did it spread?
- Did a fire precede the explosion?
- Were there working smoke and fire alarms?
- Were people able to escape from windows and doors, or were there issues with functionality?
- Did any company know of any dangerous conditions at the duplex for which that company was responsible?
- Were flammable liquids left where they could cause a fire or explosion?
- Was there anything about the design of the duplex that contributed to the severity of the injuries, including burns and smoke inhalation?
Experienced Burn Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyers
Pritzker Hageman is one of the few law firms in the country with experience representing burn survivors and families who lost a loved one in explosion lawsuits. Our legal team has gone up against big gas companies to win hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients, including some of the largest recoveries in American history.
For a free consultation about your case, please call 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or fill out the form below.