Watch CBS News

Workers Suing Companies Over Middletown Plant Blast

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Attorneys for nine people injured or killed in a Connecticut power plant explosion say they're suing companies involved in building and overseeing the facility.

The four lawyers filed lawsuits Thursday in Middletown Superior Court, alleging plant owner Kleen Energy Systems and some contractors failed to take precautions to prevent the February blast. The explosion killed six workers and injured 50 others.

The under-construction plant in Middletown exploded when something ignited natural gas and air that had accumulated while high-pressure gas was forced through pipes to clean them.

The attorneys said the lawsuits come after three visits to the plant and separate examinations of some equipment used at the site.

Messages were left for Kleen Energy and another of the companies, Bluewater Energy Solutions. A spokesman for O&G Industries declined comment.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.