2012 West Virginia Gas Blast Prompts Lawsuits

NiSource Inc. and two subsidiaries are being sued by two Sissonville, W.Va., property owners over a 2012 natural gas pipeline rupture and explosion.

John Hampton Tinney and his sister, Elizabeth Tinney Garten, allege in their lawsuit that the explosion rendered their property “valueless” and ruined their chances to sell it.

The lawsuit names as defendants NiSource, Columbia Pipeline Group Services Co., Columbia Gas Transmission and several employees.

The defendants denied the allegations in their responses to the lawsuit. They say the lawsuit didn’t state a claim for which relief could be granted. They also say the damage was caused by preexisting or unrelated events.

The Charleston Daily Mail reports that the lawsuit was filed in early February in Kanawha County Circuit Court, and the responses were filed last week.