Few things are more devastating than having your life turned upside down by a fire caused by gas or electricity. Fires can quickly spiral out of control, causing property damage, catastrophic injuries, and all sorts of questions about who might be held liable for losses. Gas and electrical fires in Pennsylvania do happen. However, it’s important to speak with a Pennsylvania gas/electrical fires and gas explosions attorney to see what your legal options are.
Gas and Electrical Fires Explained
Gas and electrical fires don’t usually have much in common, except that they can often be prevented. Gas explosions may occur when there’s a buildup of pressure or ignition in an area with gas exposure. Electrical fires can be caused by problems with wiring, malfunctions, or short circuits.
Both types of fires can occur with little warning, and both can also be traced back to a point when someone could have intervened to prevent the fire from occurring. Pennsylvania law considers whether someone was reasonably careful to prevent a fire from occurring. If not, they could be held liable for damages associated with the fire.
An estimated 1.38 million fires were put out by municipal fire departments in the US in 2024. Approximately 3,920 civilian fire fatalities and 11,780 recorded civilian fire injuries resulted from these incidents. An estimated $19 billion worth of property was damaged by these fires.
Gas Explosion Causes
Gas explosions or fires usually start with a gas leak that ignites. Because natural gas is extremely flammable, a small spark can cause the gas to explode rapidly. Common causes of gas explosions include:
- Older or damaged gas lines
- Installation defects
- Missed detection of gas buildup
- Accidents that cause underground gas lines to break
These scenarios can involve different parties. Some are preventable and may depend on who was responsible for repairing defects or properly detecting gas buildup in the home or workplace.
Common Causes of Electrical Fires
Electrical fires can also happen quickly. However, they often develop over time. If wires are frayed or improper devices are installed by a certified electrician, electrical fires can occur. Common causes of electrical fires include:
- Faulty Wiring
- Installation errors
- Malfunctioning devices
- Failure to detect risks
Unlike gas explosions, electrical fires can start inside walls or inside appliances. They can slowly build up before developing into larger fires. For these reasons, electrical fires are sometimes caused by the failure to have systems inspected or upgraded.
Safety and Legal Standards
Like other personal injury cases, negligence comes into play. A party’s responsibility for causing a fire depends on whether they were careless in failing to prevent the fire from happening. Pennsylvania uses comparative negligence under 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7102, which allows multiple parties to be found at fault.
There are also safety standards to consider. Standards from agencies such as the National Fire Protection Association can determine whether a property owner or contractor was following reasonable safety practices.
Who Can be Held Liable?
Figuring out who’s at fault after a fire can be difficult. Fires can happen for a variety of reasons. It’s rare that a single incident or factor will cause a fire. Those who may be responsible for your injuries include:
- Landlords or property owners
- Utility companies
- Contractors
- Repair technicians
- Equipment manufacturers
Determining liability after a fire will depend on who had a duty to keep you safe and whether they failed to meet that responsibility.
Your Legal Options After a Fire
You may have legal rights after a fire caused by gas or electrical issues, based on electrical fire laws. You’ll likely have options that allow you to hold responsible parties accountable. You may even be able to recover compensation for your damages.
Pursuing a claim can allow you to seek compensation for damages like property loss or injuries caused by the fire. It allows you to ask questions about how the fire happened and who was potentially negligent in causing your losses. Every situation is different, so your options will depend on the facts of your case.
Hire a Gas/Electrical Fires and Gas Explosions Lawyer
There’s no exact timeline for when you should contact an attorney for fire-related injuries. However, you should hire a gas/electrical fires and gas explosions lawyer as soon as you know you need legal help.
If you suspect that someone else is responsible for causing a fire or explosion, you should speak to an attorney right away. An attorney can evaluate your potential case and make sure that the evidence is preserved. Contacting an attorney quickly can help you understand your legal options soon after a fire.
FAQs
What Are the Four Most Common Fire-Causing Faults Attributable to Electricity?
Typically, faulty or old wiring, overloaded circuits, loose connections, or appliance defects are four of the most common fire-causing faults due to electricity. Any of these can cause heat or sparks to occur that will set materials aflame. Many times these problems arise over years of wear and tear when wiring or electrical systems are old or not maintained correctly. This is why checking your systems regularly can help prevent fires.
Is Electricity an Ignition Source and Can Cause Fires?
Electrical equipment and installations can cause fires and are considered an ignition source. If something is wrong with the electrical current, such as shorting, arcing, or overheating of wires, it can burn the material around it. It can happen from small problems, so always see that everything looks as it should and call a professional if you suspect something is wrong.
What Should I Do After a Gas or Electrical Fire?
Safety is your first priority after a gas or electrical fire. Leave the premises and call emergency services immediately. Once the area is safe, take pictures of any damage if you can do so. Try not to touch anything or move things around. If the origin of the fire is unknown, evidence may need to be preserved for investigation.
What Is the Premises Liability Law in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania follows general negligence rules with regard to premises liability. This means that a property owner can be liable if he or she failed to exercise reasonable care in keeping the premises safe. A property owner is only required to warn others of or repair dangerous conditions of which they are aware or should have been aware.
Contact SMT Legal
If you suffered loss or injury in a fire and you believe it was caused by someone else’s negligence, contact SMT Legal right away. We can inform you of your options.
