Missouri attorney general files lawsuit against Liberty Utilities after deadly gas explosion
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Monday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a lawsuit against Liberty Utilities after the company's failure to properly mark a gas line caused a deadly explosion in Lexington, Missouri.
The April 9 explosion killed a 5-year-old boy and severely injured the boy's father and sister. His father filed a lawsuit against Liberty Utilities and three other companies in April, and the couple who lived next door also filed a lawsuit against the same companies last week.
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Now, Bailey is following suit, accusing Liberty Utilities of violating the Missouri Underground Facility Safety and Damage Prevention Act.
'This was a preventable tragedy,' Bailey said. 'These companies must take their responsibilities seriously. The law is clear, the process is simple, and the consequences of failure are catastrophic. We're holding Liberty Utilities accountable to ensure that every utility in Missouri does its due diligence to prevent future disasters.'
Missouri's Underground Facility Safety and Damage Prevention Act requires utility companies to respond to 'locate' requests and mark the location of underground facilities within two working days. Attorney General Bailey said Liberty Utilities not only failed to do so but also falsely reported that the site was marked.
Section 319.045 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri authorizes the attorney general to seek injunctive relief and civil penalties against any person who violates this Act. Under Missouri law, Bailey said 'he is duty-bound to enforce compliance with public safety statutes and take legal action against entities that endanger Missourians through negligence or misconduct.'
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'Tragedies like this are exactly why this law exists,' he said. 'It's imperative that companies follow the law—not just to avoid penalties, but to protect lives.'
Bailey is seeking the maximum penalty allowed by law, as well as mandatory safety training, the appointment of a compliance monitor and a permanent injunction barring further violations.
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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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