(3) Failing to secure the Highland Hills complex to minimize the risk of trespassers and gun violence to people and property (2) Failing to conduct a hazard analysis, including an analysis of the known risk of gun violence on the property and a resulting leak (1) Failing to draft and implement policies to ensure safe operation of Odin’s natural gas system, including timely leak detection operated an unregistered natural gas master meter system that failed to meet minimum federal and state standards, including: RRC Investigators determined that Odin Properties and Mountain Creek Apts., L.P. But, while the bullet may have caused the initial gas leak, the bullet did not cause the Explosion.Īfter the Explosion on September 29, 2021, the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) completed an investigation. The alleged shooter was identified and arrested for causing the leak. At some point, an alleged shooter entered Highland Hills Apartments’ property and shot multiple rounds at or near Unit 129 from outside. Initial investigation reports, while still preliminary, concluded that the gas leak inside the unit was likely caused by a bullet from a domestic violence incident on the property hours before the Explosion. 1, Remains of Highland Hills Apartments, Building 5726, after the Explosion. Suddenly and without warning, a massive gas explosion occurred causing severe burns and catastrophic injuries to all three (3) firefighters.įig.

Captain Gadomski and Engineer Hall were outside of Unit 129 with management, attempting to locate the main service line to shut off the gas supply to Building 5726.

Officer Pauline Perez entered Unit 129 with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to determine if anyone was injured and to attempt to locate the leak inside the apartment.

The gas supply to the building had not been shut off, and the apartment building had not been evacuated. Inside, a severed gas line was discovered that was actively leaking natural gas. Upon arrival, Apartment Complex and Management employees used a drill, not a master key, to remove the doorknob of Highland Hills Unit 129 and open the front door to gain access. On September 29, 2021, Dallas firefighters Captain Christopher Gadomski, Engineer Ronald Hall, and Officer Pauline Perez responded to what was initially a carbon monoxide leak call at the Highland Hills Apartments. The lawsuit alleges claims for negligence, premises liability and gross negligence against the Apartment Complex Owner and Management Defendants (Mountain CreekĪpts., LP, Odin Properties, Odin Management) and the complex’s gas supplier, Atmos Energy Corporation. The three injured firefighters, Captain Christopher Gadomski, Engineer Ronald Hall, and Officer Pauline Perez, sustained significant injuries and burns in the Explosion, requiring multiple surgeries and on-going medical care. Sneed and Soroush Montazari, have filed a lawsuit in Dallas County against the Apartment Complex, its Management Companies, and Atmos Energy Corporation on behalf of the three firefighters who were severely burned and permanently injured as a result of a natural gas explosion at the Highland Hills Apartments in Oak Cliff on Septem(“the Explosion”). 23, 2022) - Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner Partner Brant J.

Explosion in highland hills