A judge has ordered Atmos Energy to preserve records and physical evidence that could be relevant to a lawsuit stemming from a deadly explosion that destroyed an apartment complex in Dallas last month.
The explosion in Oak Cliff killed three people and injured several others. One of the residents affected by the blast has filed a lawsuit against Atmos Energy, the natural gas utility serving the area.
Attorneys for the plaintiff asked the court to require Atmos to preserve records related to repairs and maintenance of natural gas lines near the apartment complex. They also sought an order allowing photographers access to document conditions at the site and requiring the company to retain any physical evidence that could be connected to the explosion, including pipes, valves and other equipment.
A judge granted the request, ensuring the materials remain available as investigators and attorneys continue examining the cause of the blast.
Atmos Energy said it is cooperating with the investigation being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board. The company also disputed allegations contained in the lawsuit that the gas lines involved were made of an older polyethylene material that has been associated with reliability concerns.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. No determination has been made about what triggered the blast.
