HARRISBURG - A family whose home exploded during excavation work on their water system is suing the company involved.
A lawsuit was filed March 14 in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas against Pronto Plumbing & Drain, Inc. by plaintiffs Madisyn Barber, Ashlyne Barber, Kalie Hichez, and L.H., a minor represented by K.H.
The case is being handled by attorneys Nathaniel L. Foote and Veronica N. Hubbard of Andreozzi + Foote.
Pronto in 2022 recommended excavation and repair work for replacing part of a cast iron drain line at the Barbers' property. Citing the Underground Utility Line Protection Law, the complaint says an excavator must notify the Pennsylvania One Call System at least three business days prior to work to make sure all underground utilities are marked.
Pronto only provided one day's notice, the suit claims, and a natural gas utility could not mark its line in that time.
At 9:06 a.m. on Dec. 13, 2022, while excavation work was underway, the fire department received an alarm for a gas leak.
Twenty-four minutes later, an explosion occurred. It is alleged Pronto severed the gas line, leading to the explosion. The Barbers were upstairs but safely flex the home, then called their sister Kalie Hichez.
Later, the home "completely exploded and caught fire, sending debris blocks away and leaving a literal hole in the ground," the suit says. It makes claims for negligent infliction of emotional distress and violation of the PUULPL.