Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PGE) was named in a class action lawsuit alleging negligence that led to a Sept. 9 fire and gas explosion in San Bruno, Calif.
The plaintiff claims that on Sept. 9, an underground gas line running through Glenview Park in San Bruno exploded, launching a column of fire into the air and igniting a blaze that tore through the San Francisco suburb. Dare alleges that for several weeks before the explosion, the residents living near Glenview Park reported the smell of natural gas.
The plaintiff further claims that as a result of the fire, at least 37 homes have been reported uninhabitable and four people were killed. According to the plaintiff, the fire caused numerous residents in the surrounding area to be evacuated from their homes.
The complaint alleges that the debris and ash resulting from the fire contain a host of toxins and chemicals that present a significant health and safety hazard and that the burn site contains contaminants from melted batteries, car parts, treated wood, plumbing materials, asbestos, insulation, tires, light bulbs, pesticides and herbicides.
The plaintiff claims that the initial explosion caused an estimated $31.25 million in damage and left a crater 167 feet long and 26 feet wide. In addition, he estimates that the fire caused $6.66 million in damage, while the response and recovery costs are estimated to be $10.4 million.
The plaintiff claims that PGE previously tested the 62-year-old gas line and found it to be one of the highest risk lines for failure in its system. According to Dare, the company planned in 2009 a $5 million project to repair and replace the lines but instead spent the money on executive bonuses. Dare claims that the accident occurred as a result of PGE's lack of proper precautions and updates to the aging gas lines.
The putative class is defined as all San Bruno citizens who have been impacted by the San Bruno explosion of Sept. 9, 2010.
The plaintiff seeks to require PGE to establish a $100 million fund to reimburse residents and businesses that have been impacted by the explosion. He seeks damages for strict liability, violation of Section 17200 of the California Business and Professions Code, negligence, public nuisance and private nuisance in violation of Section 3479 of the California Civil Code.
