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Class-action lawsuit against Atco over 2016 Fort McMurray blast going ahead

Click to play video: 'Fort McMurray explosions prompt questions over safety of community'
Fort McMurray explosions prompt questions over safety of community
May 17, 2016: There's new concerns tonight over how safe it is inside Fort McMurray. Two incidents have forced government officials to slightly change direction on when residents will go home following a catastrophic wildfire. Julia Wong has the latest – May 17, 2016

A class-action lawsuit is going ahead against a natural gas company in connection with an explosion that damaged several homes after the 2016 wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alta.

READ MORE: Lawsuit filed against Atco in connection to explosion in Fort McMurray wildfire aftermath

Higgerty Law and co-counsel James H. Brown and Associates say in a release that a judge has certified the suit against Atco Gas and Pipelines Ltd.

The law firms say the blast took place shortly after Atco reinstated the gas supply in the Dickensfield neighbourhood, when residents were still not allowed to return.

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The 547 affected properties were within a half-kilometre radius of the explosion and owners, occupants and insurers are listed as class members.

READ MORE: 1 explosion, 1 fire in Fort McMurray 

Higgerty Law previously said the suit would seek damages of $10 million.

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In addition to property damages, the firms say occupants have also incurred financial losses and suffered serious mental distress.

Watch below (May 17, 2016): Two house explosions in residential Fort McMurray neighbourhoods badly damaged homes Monday night.

Click to play video: 'Fort McMurray wildfire: Several homes damaged in explosions in Dickinsfield, Thickwood'
Fort McMurray wildfire: Several homes damaged in explosions in Dickinsfield, Thickwood

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