Kathleen and Gerald Ginter

Sandpoint, ID: (Aug-31-07) Jodi and Cody Likkel, and Jodi Likkel's 6-year-old son, were burned in the January 7, 2006, explosion at a rental home at 579 Durkee Road. The explosion occurred when one of the home's owners, Kathleen Ginter, was showing them the property. The suit stated that the Likkels were standing at the home's entrance when Ginter opened the door and discovered water overflowing onto the floor from a water heater. Ginter entered the home to shut off a water pump and leaking propane ignited. The force of the blast blew the family off their feet into the driveway, court records said. Jodi Likkel's son, Mason Greve, was thrown some 20 feet back and his jacket caught fire, prompting Cody Likkel to roll the boy in the snow to extinguish the flames. The Likkels filed a negligence suit against Ginter and the estate of her ex-husband, Gerald Ginter. Gerald Ginter, who had made periodic repairs to the water heater, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound six days after the explosion. Officials claimed that the source of the blast was traced to a propane leak in the water heater. Documents further state it is believed that Kathleen Ginter ignited the cloud of propane when she moved electrical switches to shut down a water pump. In a settlement proposed, the Bonner County family stands to receive $400,000, ending the personal injury lawsuit. [BONNER COUNTY DAILY BEE: WATER HEATER EXPLOSION]

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Published on Sep-4-07