Sunday morning there was an explosion in a West Sacramento apartment complex that displaced over 30 residents. The explosion occurred just after 10:30 am and first responders were on scene at the Washington Courtyard apartments within minutes.
According to Sacramento Fire Department spokesman Deputy Chief Mark Cullison the fire station closest to the apartment complex actually heard the explosion from the station. The fire department sent out a commercial structure fire response which is the heaviest type of response team.
The explosion affected 14 units and displaced 34 residents. Only two were injured in the explosion and neither were sent to the hospital, according to Cullison.
Authorities are investigating to see if a gas leak caused the explosion but they have not yet been able to confirm the cause. A Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) truck was spotted on the scene after the incident, and in a statement to ABC10 PG&E said they were working with the first responders to ensure the safety of the area and “investigate the circumstances of the incident.”
Cullison also stated that authorities are looking into a unit that was under construction at the time of the explosion to see if anything occurring there could have contributed to causing the explosion.
Washington Courtyard apartments offer one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartment units. According to the complex’s website, it contains 90 units total. As of right now, no one is allowed back in the building. The Sacramento Fire Department has joined in to assist the West Sacramento firefights to ensure the building does not collapse and cause further damage.
Legal Action Available To Residents
While the exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation, residents may be able to file personal injury claims to obtain compensation to cover their losses.
“Experiencing the loss of your home, even if temporarily, can be a frightening and stressful experience. The residents of Washington Courtyard apartments deserve justice,” says Britt Strottman, a Sacramento injury attorney at Singleton Schreiber who represented San Bruno after a major gas explosion in 2010, “We hope that the investigation can quickly identify the cause so that residents may return to their homes and belongings. Residents should know that they may have cause for legal action and could consider contacting a lawyer to learn more about their options.”
Personal injury claims in this context can cover several forms of damages, including:
- Medical Expenses– to cover costs for medical treatment related to injuries from the explosion.
- Loss of Personal Property– compensation for the repair or replacement of property damaged or lost in the explosion.
- Emotional Distress– experiencing a stressful situation like this can lead to significant emotional and psychological distress. Compensation for emotional distress acknowledges the impact an event like this can have on your mental health.
- Alternative Living Arrangements– finding alternative living arrangements while you are displaced from your home and all your belongings can be costly. Claims can cover the costs of hotel stays, temporary rentals, and the costs of other necessary expenses related to being displaced.
- And more
If you have been injured or displaced due to an explosion in your building, contact Singleton Schreiber today by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.
