YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — A year after a fatal gas explosion, GreenHeart Companies LLC has filed a lawsuit against Enbridge Gas Ohio and several subsidiaries, claiming that negligence on their part contributed to the disaster, according to court documents submitted in Mahoning County.
The complaint was lodged on the anniversary of the May 28, 2024 explosion at Realty Tower, which led to the death of a bank employee and caused significant destruction to the area. The suit names multiple defendants, including Enbridge, Dominion Energy Inc., Columbia Gas of Ohio, and MS Consultants Inc., along with ten unnamed parties.
GreenHeart alleges that these companies acted with “extreme indifference” toward public safety, despite being aware of the risks associated with their actions. The lawsuit asserts that the explosion occurred when a crew hired by GreenHeart inadvertently cut into a live gas line believed to be decommissioned while working on a debris removal project for the city.
According to the complaint, the gas companies had previously participated in a construction project at Realty Tower that involved deactivating natural gas lines. GreenHeart contends that the companies failed to adequately cap the gas line that ultimately led to the explosion and did not inform others of their shortcomings. The suit indicates that the defendants’ alleged negligence created conditions that resulted in the explosion, which devastated the downtown area and disrupted numerous businesses and residents.
GreenHeart insists that it relied on the assumption that the gas lines had been properly decommissioned and made safe in accordance with industry standards. In addition to the gas companies, the lawsuit also targets MS Consultants, an architectural and engineering firm, for its involvement in the prior construction work. The complaint accuses MS Consultants of breaching its duty of care, stating it should have recognized the hazards posed by the gas lines.
In total, GreenHeart listed six counts of negligence in its lawsuit and seeks both compensatory and punitive damages exceeding $25,000, along with interest, legal fees, and court costs. A jury trial has been requested to resolve the matter.
The deadly blast resulted in the tragic death of Akil Drake, prompting a separate wrongful death settlement of $6.1 million for his family. Enbridge and Dominion’s overall liability, following insurance coverage, amounted to nearly $3 million combined, with additional payments from other involved parties.
The explosion notably forced the evacuation of over twenty residents and caused significant damage to prominent nearby businesses, including a hotel that was closed for weeks following the accident. The Realty Tower building itself suffered so much destruction that it had to be demolished.
In the wake of the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board is continuing its investigation, having recently revealed insights into flaws in the gas companies’ record-keeping practices. Their preliminary findings suggest discrepancies led to misidentifications of service lines, including those thought to be abandoned.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has also been involved in assessing the gas infrastructure, uncovering issues that date back to inadequate data management. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to clarify the events leading to the explosion.