Omaha Bills Minnesota Excavator that Struck Gas Line, Causing Explosion

The city of Omaha, Neb., has billed a Minnesota excavation company nearly $104,000 for the costs of fighting a fire that erupted after a natural gas explosion.

The city and safety regulators say North Central Service of Bemidji, Minn., workers struck a natural gas line Jan. 9 in front M’s Pub in the Old Market area. Gas leaked into the basement of the building and exploded. An M’s Pub employee was taken to a hospital with cuts and a firefighter was treated after slipping on ice.

A letter sent to the company last month says the reimbursement is being sought under an ordinance that lets the city recover expenses incurred during a “hazardous material emergency.”

A company spokesman didn’t immediately return a call from The Associated Press.