Hutchinson — Owners of the now-deserted Big Chief Mobile Home Park are seeking more than $12.5 million in damages against the past and present owners of the Yaggy gas storage field.
A year ago, gas leaking from the field migrated through geological formations underneath the city and exploded to the surface through abandoned brine wells. The first blast destroyed two downtown businesses, and the second destroyed a mobile home at the Big Chief park, killing two elderly residents.
Bob and Sue Kinder, and their Rednik Inc., filed the lawsuit Thursday in Reno County District Court against Kansas Gas Service and Western Resources Inc., now known as Westar Energy.
Also named as defendants are Kansas Gas' parent company, ONEOK, its gas storage companies and Topeka-based Mid-Continent Market Center, which allegedly stored gas at Yaggy. Western operated the storage field from 1993 to 1997, then sold it and other natural gas distribution properties to ONEOK.
The suit claims Kansas Gas and Western failed to properly maintain Yaggy's facilities and equipment, and failed to detect or stop the escape of gas.
"During the time Western owned and operated the facility, Western was aware of numerous severe gas leaks at the facility and was aware that gas was entering geologic strata and leaving the facility," according to the lawsuit filed by Leawood attorneys Doug Patterson and Joseph Borich.
According to the suit, the Kinders have been "permanently deprived and prevented from operating, maintaining and conducting their business."
Robert Kinder announced in April that the park would close, saying he didn't have enough tenants to keep it open.
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