PITTSBURGH — A City of Pittsburgh fire investigator alleges he suffered electrocution after Duquesne Light Company failed to recognize a live wire at the scene of a fire.
Thomas Huerbin filed a complaint in the Court of Common Please of Allegheny County against Duquesne Light Company alleging negligence.
According to his complaint, Huerbin was a sergeant with the City of Pittsburgh Police Department and certified fire investigator. He claims that on Oct. 4, 2020, he responded to a fire on Mount Oliver Street in the Arlington/Mt. Oliver region of Pittsburgh in his capacity as a fire investigator.
Huerbin alleges that Duquesne cut power to the front of the building and that due to the fire, a power transmission pole was damaged, which caused power supply lines to fall onto a nearby fire engine. He further alleges Duquesne representatives on the scene falsely informed fire department members that the fallen wires were not live.
Huerbin claims the next morning when he arrived at the scene to investigate the fire, he came in contact with the fallen wires which were energized and suffered electrocution. He says he suffered a second-degree burn injury on his thumb and numbness into his wrist and forearm.
He alleges Duquesne's negligence for failing to recognize the energized, high voltage wire or tracing the damaged wires.
Huerbin seeks monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by. Craig Frischman and James South of Frischman and Rizza PC in Pittsburgh.