Local business hit with third lawsuit after deadly houseexplosion

Dec. 27--A third lawsuit has been filed against Teague Heating and Electric Co. Inc., accusing the company again of negligence after a house explosion occurred earlier this year in Park Hill.

The first lawsuit, filed in February, was filed by Marie Deal, also named as a plaintiff on behalf of Steven Charles Cricket Smith. After the explosion at 28506 State Highway 82, Smith was pulled from the house by emergency personnel and flown to a Tulsa hospital.

The petition also alleges that Teague Heating and employee Joshua Schuelke were negligent and "failed to exercise ordinary care under the circumstances in the performance of its work."

The second lawsuit was filed by Mawana Jones, next of kin to Helen Jane Yost, 66, who died in the Feb. 2 blast.

According to the petition, an event involving natural gas led to the explosion of the Park Hill residence.

The petition alleges that both defendants were "negligent, careless, and acted with reckless inattention." It also claims negligence for failing to provide a safe environment, not warning the plaintiffs of the danger, and entrusting work to an unqualified employee.

Both lawsuits seek actual and punitive damages "in excess" of $75,000.

The third lawsuit, which was filed on Dec. 21 by Shelter Mutual Insurance Co. Inc., also lists the company and Schuelke as defendants.

The suit claims that debris from the explosion damaged Oralia Landaverde's vehicle, which was parked near the residence.

The defendant seeks $6,870.24 in actual damages.

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