CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — NiSource and a subsidiary are being sued by several Sissonville residents over a natural gas pipeline explosion.
The residents filed seven separate lawsuits alleging NiSource, Columbia Gas Transmission and several employees failed to "exercise due care" in maintaining the 20-inch pipeline.
The Charleston Gazette reports that the lawsuits were filed Monday in Kanawha County Circuit Court.
The pipeline ruptured on Dec. 11, 2012, and triggered a massive fire that cooked Interstate 77, destroyed several homes and damaged several others. There were no injuries.
The National Transportation Safety Board has said the line showed signs of external corrosion and had thinned to about one-third of the recommended thickness in some spots.
NiSource did not immediately provide comment to The Associated Press.