Explosion victims file lawsuit

SANDPOINT — Four people injured in a propane explosion in Samuels two years ago are suing the manufacturers of the water heater and a gas control value suspected of causing the blast.

The product liability and negligence suit is seeking unspecified damages and was filed in district court on Jan. 3, according to court documents.

The explosion happened in the 500 block of Durkee Road on Jan. 7, 2006. Landowner Kathy Ginter was showing the home to prospective renters when propane vapors ignited.

The blast injured Ginter, in addition to Jodi and Cody Likkel, and Jodi Likkel's son, who was six years old at the time. The Likkels sued Ginter over the accident and a settlement was reached last year.

Court documents in that suit indicated the explosion happened when Ginter moved electrical switches to cut power to a water pump, which ignited gas leaking from a water heater.

Ginter and the Likkels are now teaming up in a lawsuit against the maker of the water heater and the valve which regulates the flow of gas. Named as defendants are State Industries Corp., a Tennessee company which manufactured the water heater, and White Rogers Corp., the manufacturer of the control valve. The suspect water heater was installed in 2003, the suit said.

One of the plaintiff's attorneys, Rodney R. Saetrum, said in the complaint the explosion was caused by a leak in the water heater or its gas control valve.