A severely burned resident has sued Atmos Energy after a natural gas explosion destroyed an Oak Cliff apartment building, killing three people and injuring several others.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Onecimo Ponce Mendoza, a resident of The Clyde Apartments near East 9th Street and Patton Avenue, after the May 28 explosion.
Mendoza was asleep after working a night shift when he woke to a loud noise, encountered fire and smoke, and escaped with his roommate while suffering severe burns and smoke inhalation, according to Kherkher Garcia, LLP.
The lawsuit alleges Atmos failed to monitor gas conditions, ignored known risks, and did not warn residents about potential leaks. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Firm Seeks Damages
Kherkher Garcia founding partner Jesus Garcia Jr. said in a statement released by the firm that Atmos should be held accountable.
“Atmos Energy is the source of far too many deaths and severe injuries year after year,” Garcia said, according to CBS Texas. “Atmos Energy routinely fails to conduct operations in a safe manner consistent with policies and procedures for working at or on a property where natural gas is present, which has resulted in countless preventable tragedies.”
The lawsuit seeks compensation for past and future pain and suffering, impairment, disfigurement, mental anguish, medical expenses, and medical monitoring.
Federal Investigation Ongoing
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the May 28 natural gas-fueled explosion that destroyed the Oak Cliff apartment building. The agency said its information is preliminary and subject to change.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the explosion destroyed a two-story apartment building in the 400 block of East 9th Street, killing three people, including a child, and injuring several others.
Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief Justin Ball said firefighters had already arrived and were preparing to enter the building when the explosion occurred, according to AP.
“Right before they were going to enter and evacuate, it exploded,” Ball said.
No firefighters were injured in the blast.
Soil Testing Under Scrutiny
Federal investigators suspect an engineering contractor unintentionally ruptured an underground pipeline during soil testing for a planned redevelopment, according to AP. Officials have not released a final cause.
Geoff Henley, an attorney for apartment owner Samuel Aflalo, said soil testers were drilling on the property before a gas line was hit.
Henley said a prospective buyer, O-SDA Industries, commissioned Engineering Consultant Services to perform soil testing on the property.
“If someone did not do a proper line locate here, it is beyond egregious,” Henley said in a statement on Friday.
Megan Lasch, president of O-SDA Industries, confirmed the company was in the process of purchasing the apartment complex and said ECS had been contracted to provide a “Geotech report.”
“We will closely follow and cooperate in the investigation into the cause of this tragedy,” Lasch said in a statement. “We are also working with other property owners and service agencies to help secure housing and address the needs of any displaced residents.”
Families Accounted For
Officials said all 19 families in the building had been accounted for.
Ball said authorities searched the wreckage with drones, cadaver dogs, and specialized urban rescue teams and did not expect to find more victims, according to AP. “There is nobody unaccounted for or we’d still be searching,” Ball said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
