MINNEAPOLIS — It was early August when an explosion at Minnehaha Academy rocked the neighborhood and left two dead in the rubble. Now, one of the families is taking legal action.
The daughter and mother of Minnehaha Academy receptionist Ruth Berg, 47, has filed a lawsuit against CenterPoint Energy and its subcontractor Master Mechanical, asking for $50,000 in what they believe is negligence on the part of both companies.
According to the Star Tribune, the family of Berg believes CenterPoint Energy and Master Mechanical failed to turn off the gas valve and did not alert people of the looming explosion they ran from, mistakes that cost the lives of the receptionist and part-time custodian John Carlson, 82.
As reported by Alpha News, it was the morning of August 2, when a crew from Master Mechanical – believed to be a father/son team – ran out of the building, after determining a natural gas leak would lead to an explosion in the building.
The gas leak is speculated to have occurred after the Master Mechanical team attempted to move a gas meter located inside of the building, outside.
A full investigation with an official cause into the explosion is more than a year out according to NTSB officials who were sent to investigate the gas leak.
Preya Samsundar
Preya Samsundar was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities this Spring with a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, with a minor in Strategic Communications. Preya has previously worked on several State Campaign Races.
