FDNY Hit with $2 million Suit Over Gas Explosion

Posted by: Curt Varone June 18, 2014 0

A gas explosion on Staten Island last January has prompted a $2 million suit against the city of New York.

On January 29, 2014 firefighters responded to the home of Charles Caccese for a reported smell of gas. Firefighters asked Caccese to accompany them inside to show them the location of a sewer trap in the basement. While in the basement, Caccese claims he pulled on a chain cord to turn on a light sparking a massive explosion that destroyed his home. He sustained second and third degree burns.

Caccese’s attorney, Harry Burstein of Fischer & Burstein, was quoted by SILive.com as saying: “It’s our feeling that the injuries he suffered were caused by the negligence of the city in having their firefighters have Mr. Caccese return into the house which was known to have a strong odor of gas. He was outside and they had him show them the house trap.”

Besides the city and FDNY, Caccese’s suit also names National Grid as a defendant for failing to properly maintain its gas lines.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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