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First Lawsuit Against City For Harlem Building Explosion Planned

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - The family of a victim and a survivor of the fatal Harlem building explosion has announced plans to sue the city for negligence.

The family of the late Griselde Camacho filed two notices of claim on Wednesday in connection with the March 12 explosion that killed eight people and hurt more than 60, according to the Wall Street Journal. Both claims seek payment of $20 million, the paper reported.

Camacho's mother, Carmen Quinones, remains hospitalized.

Sgt. Camacho served as a public safety officer at Hunter College since 2008.

The family claims the city failed to maintain and inspect aging gas lines. The line was 125 years old, according to authorities.

Two buildings on Park Avenue between 116th and 117th streets were leveled in the apparent gas explosion.

The blast hurled bricks, glass and other debris across the neighborhood and onto nearby Metro-North tracks.

The city law department referred inquiries to the comptroller. That office said it does not comment on ongoing litigation.

The blast erupted around 9:30 a.m., about 15 minutes after someone from a neighboring building reported smelling gas, authorities said. Con Edison said it immediately sent workers to check out the report but they got there too late.

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