CHARLESTON – A company is suing over claims a contractor's employee ignited a lighter and caused an explosion at a West Virginia well site.
EQT Production Company filed a lawsuit Oct. 1 in the Charleston Division of the Southern District of West Virginia against Central Environmental Services, citing negligence.
According to the complaint, EQT contracted CES Services to transport water from EQT well sites, including brine water produced from the Rosemont 119 well site near Berry Run Road in Flemington.
The complaint states that despite signs at the well site prohibiting flames due to the presence of natural gas, on Feb. 15, 2013, a CES employee ignited a BIC lighter while on a catwalk above the brine water storage tanks, causing an explosion.
EQT says it suffered extensive property damage and business interruption losses. CES is accused of negligence and breach of contractual duty to indemnify.
EQT Production Company seeks more than $75,000 in damages, interest and attorney fees. It is represented by attorneys R. Scott Long and J. Miles Morgan of Hendrickson & Long in Charleston.
Southern District of West Virginia case number: 2:14-CV-26427
Contractor employee's lighter caused well explosion, suit claims
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