Lawrence family sues Columbia Gas
Attorney: ‘We are here to hold accountable those who failed us’
A family who lost a Chickering Road home in Lawrence to gas explosions earlier this month is suing Columbia Gas.
“This family has been crushed and they are in deep, deep pain,” Attorney Socrates De La Cruz said yesterday in a press conference. The Figueroa family, whose children were injured in the explosions, is suing Columbia Gas for “gross negligence.”
De La Cruz filed the lawsuit on behalf of Omayra Figueroa and her children Shakira, Christian and Sergio. De La Cruz said Shakira Figueroa has gone through three surgeries for extensive leg injuries since the explosions and was in the midst of a fourth during yesterday’s 1 p.m. press conference. “I know there are a lot of you out there who are concerned with the healing and wellbeing of Shakira and the Figueroa family,” De La Cruz said.
“It should have been prevented. We are here today to look out for the interest of the Figueroa family. We are here because families want answers to questions. We are here to hold accountable those who failed us and to ensure that we are never failed again because here in Lawrence we believe we deserve an infrastructure that is as sound as our resolve,” said De La Cruz.
The explosions on 35 Chickering Road claimed the life of the family’s close friend, 18-yearold Leonel Rondon. The house’s chimney fell on the car Rondon, a newly licensed driver, was sitting in when the explosions happened. According to the lawsuit, the entire family was home at the time of the explosions on Sept. 13.
Steve Bryant, president of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, said in a statement, “We are heartbroken about the family’s loss and will continue to do what we can to help them at this terribly difficult time.”
The explosions and fires forced thousands of residents in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence to evacuate their homes. While most families are back in their homes, many still do not have gas as cold autumn weather creeps in. Hot plates and space heaters were distributed to residents last week in a relief effort supported by the National Guard and Columbia Gas. A job fair was also held as Columbia Gas seeks to hire extra employees to aid in fixing infrastructure.
The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. Officials estimate that residents will again have gas in their homes by Nov. 19.