Husband Drops Lawsuit Against Nicor After Deadly House Explosion

WONDER LAKE, IL — A Wonder Lake man has dropped a lawsuit against Nicor Gas after an investigation determined the utility was not responsible for a May house explosion that killed his wife and seriously injured two other family members.

Dean Patnaude filed the lawsuit May 22, alleging Nicor was negligent in monitoring the home's gas service and responding to complaints about a gas leak before the explosion, according to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner. An investigation by the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office found evidence that work had been underway on the home's water heater and determined the gas leak originated from the water heater's piping, with an unknown ignition source.

Investigators learned from an injured family member that someone had been working to replace the water heater but stopped before completing the work, believing the gas had been properly turned off.

Court records show Patnaude voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit last week after Nicor filed an answer and counterclaim, according to the article.

More via Lake & McHenry County Scanner

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