Updated January 5, 2024, with investigation details. A house explosion in Northfield Township, Michigan, took the lives of four family members and injured two others on Saturday, December 30th. The Bragg family had been visiting from Arkansas to spend the holiday weekend with their grandfather when the house on Winter Lane exploded.
In the aftermath of the devastating house explosion, first responders arrived to find the house reduced to its foundation, surrounded by debris scattered across nearly two acres of property. The force of the explosion sent shockwaves as far as nine miles away in Washtenaw County.
Sadly, 51-year-old Hope Bragg and her husband, 53-year-old Don Bragg, died in the explosion along with two of their adult children, 22-year-old Kenny Bragg and 19-year-old Elizabeth Bragg. Their youngest son, 16-year-old Stephen Bragg, suffered critical burn injuries along with Hope’s father, 72-year-old Richard Pruden. Richard and Stephen were transported to the University of Michigan Hospital for treatment. Extended family members created a GoFundMe page for Rich and a GoFundMe page for Stephen to help support them during this difficult time.
The Braggs were well-respected in their community and were described as “ambassadors” of archaeology in Arkansas. Don was a research forestor with the US Forest Service and Hope was a 4-H instructor at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. A family friend described them to CNN as “some of the most generous and kind people I’ve ever known.” The University of Arkansas at Monticello is planning to create a scholarship in honor of the Braggs.
Investigators initially suspected that a propane gas leak caused the house explosion. A preliminary investigation found that the explosion was caused by a “gas leak from an undetermined location.” While the investigation continues, the Northfield Township Police Department has secured the scene and closed the private road leading to the house, which runs parallel to US 23 west of Whitmore Lake.
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House Explosion Lawsuit Information
If you were injured or if your family lost a loved one in a house explosion, you may be able to sue the wrongdoers whose negligence caused the explosion. An experienced explosion lawyer will conduct an independent investigation to identify the cause, determine liability, and guide you through the legal process. When a death is involved, your family may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. While no amount of money could ever make up for your family’s loss, filing an explosion wrongful death lawsuit will help you obtain justice and compensation on your loved one’s behalf.
If there is sufficient evidence to support your claim, you may be able to file a lawsuit against any of the following parties.
- Gas company
- Propane company that serviced your propane tank before it exploded
- Landlord
- Construction company
- Contractor or subcontractor
- Component manufacturer
- Maintenance company
- Installation company
- City, county, or state
Contact an Experienced Explosion Attorney
Pritzker Hageman is one of the few law firms in the country with experience representing burn survivors and families who lost their loved ones. The Pritzker Hageman explosion attorneys have gone up against big gas companies to win groundbreaking settlements and verdicts for our clients.
For a free, no-obligation consultation about your case, please call 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or fill out the form below.