Attorneys for victims of Sun Metro explosion calling on city for answers
Update: City spokesperson Laura Cruz Acosta released the following statement in response to this morning's news conference.
"The City of El Paso and the El Paso Fire Department remain committed to conducting a thorough and professional investigation into the recent fire at 10151 Montana. We understand the concerns raised by the community and want to provide clarity regarding the status of the site and access to the area.
The area remains an active fire investigation site. While portions of the structure have been stabilized, stabilization alone does not render the site safe. Significant hazards remain, including structural instability, hazardous materials, oils, and gases. Due to these safety concerns and to preserve the integrity of the investigation, access to the facility remains restricted. This restriction will remain in place until emergency personnel determine it is safe to release the site. The City follows established legal and investigative protocols in managing fire scenes and, at this stage, is not required to grant access to third parties. However, we carefully review all access requests as the situation evolves.
Incidents of this magnitude require a meticulous and detailed investigation. While the initial review estimated a timeline of two to three weeks, evolving conditions and the complexity of the investigation can extend this timeframe. Additionally, ensuring the site is safe for entry while preserving evidence integrity can take weeks or even months, depending on the challenges encountered.
Regarding requests for site access, the City received the request from the law firm on Saturday, and today is the first business day. While we carefully review all access requests, those related to potential litigation cannot be granted at this stage to maintain the integrity of the process. Additionally, the City has issued preservation notices to all relevant departments to ensure that records, site conditions, videos, and other materials remain intact for both investigative and legal purposes.
We remain committed to transparency and will provide updates as new information becomes available."
Laura Cruz Acosta
Strategic Communications Director
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)-- This morning, Maxey Scherr, of Scherr Law Firm, and Robert L. Collins, of Robert L. Collins and Associates held a news conference asking anyone to come forward with answers regarding the origin of the Sun Metro explosion.
The explosion, that happened back on February 11th, which resulted in the death of one person and the injuries of several others. The attorneys say they have asked the city for access to the investigation but have not received an answer.
