Owner Injured In House Explosion Sues Sears, Appliance Delivery Company

The homeowner who was injured in the house explosion in Fitchburg in August filed a lawsuit Friday against Sears and an appliance installation company, alleging an uncapped gas pipe led to the explosion. Brian K. Grittner and his attorney, Daniel Rottier, filed the lawsuit, which includes the man who installed a dryer in June 2011 and related insurance companies. According to the lawsuit, Grittner and his attorney believe the explosion at 5573 Cheryl Drive on Aug. 25, which severely damaged the house and injured Grittner, was caused by the escape of natural gas through a pipe that had not been capped five years earlier.