Bozeman explosion lawsuits continue to pile up

By Beth Saboe

Posted: Jun 1, 2010 2:26 PM

(Photo from day of the explosion)

The lawsuits against NorthWestern Energy over the 2009 downtown explosion continue to mount.

Most recently, a group of artists whose work was destroyed inside the Montana Trails Gallery filed suit, as did the insurance companies of a number of business owners on Main Street. The companies insured Gallatin Masonic Lodge, Quilted Sisters, Carter's Cobbler Shop, panoramic photographer Craig Hegert, Looie's Down Under, Gerty's Boutique and others.

These lawsuits alone are seeking at least half a million dollars from NorthWestern Energy in damages.

The plaintiffs are suing the utility company for negligence in the 2009 explosion that killed a Bozeman woman and leveled half a city block on Main Street. The family of Tara Reistad Bowman's filed a lawsuit as well.

NorthWestern officials have previously said the blast was an "act of God," and contend they are not legally responsible.

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