Arapaho, OK – A civil lawsuit filed on behalf of residents and others affected by the November 2025 ammonia gas leak in downtown Weatherford has been placed on hold until January 2027 while federal investigators continue examining the incident.
A Custer County judge on Monday extended a stay in the case, delaying litigation against AirGas, the owner of the leaking tanker truck, along with companies associated with the Holiday Inn Express and Suites where the truck was parked at the time of the leak.
The stay was originally granted in February 2026 after AirGas requested the court pause the proceedings pending the outcome of the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation. The latest ruling extends that pause through January 2027, or until the federal investigation is completed.
Attorney Clayton Bruner, who represents many of the victims, criticized the decision, saying those impacted by the incident continue to face financial and emotional hardships while waiting for the case to move forward.
Bruner said many victims are still dealing with emotional trauma and medical expenses, with some paying healthcare costs out of pocket. He argued there is little legal precedent for delaying a civil negligence case for such an extended period and believes those affected deserve a timely opportunity to seek accountability and compensation.
The lawsuit alleges AirGas and other defendants were negligent by allowing a tanker carrying hazardous ammonia to be parked in a populated downtown area.
The ammonia leak occurred in November 2025 when toxic gas escaped from an AirGas tanker parked outside the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in downtown Weatherford. The incident hospitalized 74 people and forced hundreds of residents and visitors to evacuate the area.
While the district court case remains on hold, Bruner is also pursuing a federal class-action lawsuit on behalf of those affected. He said he hopes the federal litigation will help move the overall legal process forward despite the continued delay in state court.
AirGas has maintained that the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board investigation are important to determining the cause of the leak and should be completed before the civil case proceeds.
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