Thursday marks the first anniversary of a gas explosion that claimed five lives and left five families without their homes.

A wooden cross has been erected on the lot where the explosion happened at 13th and Allen streets in Allentown on Feb. 9, 2011.

"This piece of wood, this is all that I have left from my daughter's 16 years, from my 12 years of working in this country," said Manuel Cruz, who lost his entire family -- his mother, Ofelia Ben, 69; daughter, Katherine Cruz, 16; and 4-month-old grandson, Matthew Vega -- in the blast. "I think of my family all of the time. I can't get them out of my head."

Since the explosion, Cruz has been living with extended family in Norristown, Montgomery Co.

In January, Cruz and Matthew Vega's father filed a wrongful death suit against UGI, claiming the Reading-based company knew aging gas pipelines were dangerous. The pipe linked to the explosion was 83-years-old.

The family of Bea and Bill Hall, who also died in the blast, has reached an undisclosed settlement with UGI.

"Like one day we are all there and the next we're all gone," said Karen Grabowski, who lived next door to the Cruz family and was rescued with her husband from their home by firefighters. Their home was lost.

The five families who lost their homes are also taking legal action.

Karen Grabowski said she has been haunted by the explosion since it happened.

"In the beginning, every noise that I heard, you know, every like if I would hear something go off, I would jump," said Grabowski.

A year later, Grabowski and her husband are looking back at what they lost, including their daughter's wedding dress. Now, a photo of their smiling bride is perched on the wall and the family cat believed lost in the destruction crawled out of the rubble after two days. Tally is now recovering.

All of the families from 13th and Allen said they want to do what they can to spare others this kind of pain.
"It can happen to anyone in Allentown. This is a threat that threatens everyone's safety and well-being," said Cruz.

"UGI Utilities has been working diligently to resolve, through formal settlements, any and all claims arising from the February 9, 2011 incident in Allentown, so those directly impacted are compensated fairly, and reasonably for their losses," said Dan Adamo, a UGI spokesman.

The families said there is nothing that can rebuild the lives they once knew, but Grabowski said she hopes a plaque will be placed at the site to remember those who died and the neighborhood that was lost.

69 News will air a half-hour documentary about the explosion on Sat., Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. on WFMZ-TV.