HOPKINTON - Tara and Heath Carey believe a gas leak
caused the house explosion that killed their two daughters and have hired
an attorney to keep tabs on the state's investigation.
The Carey family suspects the gas system that fed their stove and dryer
blew up the 65 Main St. apartment building on July 24. Their daughters,
Iris, 4, and Violet, 51/2, died in the early morning explosion.
The meters that measure the gas use of those appliances were replaced
in May, NStar spokesman Michael Monahan confirmed yesterday.
What NStar won't confirm are allegations by the Carey family and
upstairs neighbor Tony Defreitas that bills received after the meter
change more than doubled in price.
Monahan reiterated NStar's previous statement that it is cooperating
with investigators. The state fire marshal's office is leading the
investigation.
A May 23 bill showed that the Careys' gas use rose after the meter
change, according to the family. The $18 bill was more than double three
of the Careys' previous bills. The bills typically ranged from $7 to $9.
Defreitas, who lived in an apartment above the Careys, said his last
gas bill jumped by $20 for no reason. Defreitas crawled out of the
splintered home with his then-pregnant fiancee and 5-year-old son.
Officials at the fire marshal's office yesterday read meters removed
from the wreckage, and now want to examine past readings, spokeswoman
Jennifer Mieth said.
"We need additional information to evaluate what those results
are," she said.
Investigators hope meters, appliances, pipes and other materials
recovered from the home will determine a cause for the explosion.
John Wozniak, a Mendon attorney hired by the Careys, said the family
hoped a representative could observe as the meters were read.
"Unfortunately, they did not allow us to go to Stow to
watch," Wozniak said. He did not know why officials denied his
request.
Wozniak won't say whether he's preparing to file a lawsuit. He said
more information may come out on Monday afternoon, but he wouldn't
elaborate.
"At this point what we are doing is overseeing and focusing on the
ongoing investigation as to the cause of the explosion," he said.
"We're ensuring the family is involved in the investigation."
The three other families who lost their homes in the explosion have
also hired an attorney. Framingham attorney Scott Busconi is representing
the Defreitas, Webster and Maijs families. He could not be reached for
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