A tragic explosion at The Clyde apartments in Oak Cliff, Dallas, has led to a wrongful death lawsuit against Atmos Energy and the apartment management. The explosion, which occurred last Thursday, resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including 81-year-old community activist Sylvia Collins, Marisol Perez, and Perez’s 18-month-old son, Erick. Five others were hospitalized due to the blast.

Legal Action and Allegations

The lawsuit was filed by the Dallas law firm Hamilton Wingo on behalf of Sylvia Collins’ family. It accuses Atmos Energy and the apartment management of gross negligence, suggesting that their failure to address known risks led to the tragedy. Neighbors reported smelling gas for several days before the explosion, although officials have not yet confirmed the cause.

In addition to Collins’ case, another lawsuit has been filed by Kherkher Garcia LLP in Houston on behalf of Onecimo Ponce Mendoza, a resident injured in the explosion. Mendoza’s suit alleges that Atmos Energy failed to properly monitor conditions and notify residents of the potential danger posed by a gas leak.

Explosion Details

The explosion and subsequent fire engulfed the 22-unit apartment building, with images showing extensive damage, including blown-out windows and debris scattered across the street. A utility truck was also affected by the fire. More than 100 firefighters responded to the five-alarm fire, which sent a large plume of black smoke into the sky.

Officials have confirmed that a gas leak was reported just before the explosion. Atmos Energy stated that a construction crew, not affiliated with the company, had damaged a pipeline in the area. The investigation into the exact cause of the explosion is ongoing.

Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.