PITTSBURGH — People's Natural Gas is facing a lawsuit over a 2019 natural gas leak that caused fire damage in a Pittsburgh shopping center.
Selective Insurance Company of South Carolina, as subrogee of Don Services Inc., filed a complaint June 17 in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against People's Natural Gas Company LLC alleging negligence.
According to Selective Insurance Company's complaint, Don Services was a tenant at the Churchill Center Shopping Center on Frankstown Road in Pittsburgh where People's Gas was the provider of natural gas service.
It alleges that on July 28, 2019, leaking natural gas caused a fire in a gas meter and caused Don Services to suffer damage and destruction to its property. Selective Services further alleges that upon fire department personnel's arrival at the scene, People's Gas was told to shut off the gas supply to the building.
Selective Service claims that People's Gas personnel on site did not shut off the natural gas supply until four hours after the fire department had requested. It claims People's Natural Gas was negligent for failing to properly inspect, maintain and service its natural gas equipment or to train its employees in emergency operating procedures.
Selective Insurance seeks monetary relief of $38,542.01 and all other just relief. They are represented by Steven Kluxen of The Law Office of Steven A. Kluxen in Hamilton, New Jersey.