Home Explosion Lawsuit Filed Against Utility Company

A Tennessee couple has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Knoxville Utilities Board over a natural gas explosion that occurred a year ago in their home, killing their teenage son. 

The home explosion lawsuit was filed on December 2 by Steve and Sue Krzeski in Knox County Circuit Court, alleging that the public utility company’s negligence caused the death of their son, Nick Krzeski, 18.

The Krzeski home in Whittington Creek exploded on December 9, 2009, and Nick Krzeski’s body was found in the basement after the blast. In addition to his death, Sue Krzeski suffered a fractured vertebra and multiple other fractures and Steve Krzeski received broken ribs and other injuries. Sue Krezeski had to undergo multiple hospitalizations as a result of the explosion, the lawsuit claims.

According to the complaint, a device connecting the gas line to the home, the Perfection Permalock Tee, failed and allowed gas to seep into the house. According to a local media report, an investigation by a fire investigator from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the home explosion was caused by leaking gas, but the investigator did not identify the source of the leak.

The plaintiffs contend that Knoxville Utilities Board failed to properly install and inspect the device and knew or should have known that the fitting could fail. The lawsuit seeks to hold Knoxville Utilities Board liable for the death of Nick Krzeski, and the medical expenses, emotional stress, pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life suffered by his parents. The lawsuit is seeking at least $750,000 in compensatory damages.