Fraser Stryker attorneys Mark Laughlin and Tim Thalken successfully defended the Omaha Public Power District in a lawsuit filed by individuals whose home was destroyed by a fire. The plaintiffs alleged that OPPD’s power line fell on a natural gas pipe attached to the plaintiffs’ home. The plaintiffs’ experts testified that the downed power line blew a hole in the gas pipe allowing natural gas to accumulate in the plaintiffs’ attic. They argued that when OPPD restored power to the circuit, the plaintiff’s house exploded. The plaintiffs claimed that OPPD was negligent in placing its power lines too close to the plaintiffs’ house and in failing to inspect the electrical lines prior to restoring power. The judge ruled that OPPD’s placement of the power lines complied with the National Electrical Safety Code and was proper. In entering judgment for the defense, the judge also held that OPPD personnel complied with the industry standard and were not negligent in responding to the outage.