Thanks so much to all of you, i knew i could count on you for much needed understanding!

The actual owner of the gas well was out of town when this happened.  The worker who turned the wrong valve did come turn it all off.  It took the fire dept almost 45 minutes to reach somebody.  The mans ex wife is actually the one who was finally able to get a hold of the owners wife, who then in turned called him.  He was on a train heading home when this all happened.  The worker was shaking in his boots, and the owners ex wife told me she about had a heart attack, she heard this on the scanner before anything else, and she thought the outcome was going to be much worse.

The owners wife did show up that night, and she was very frightened.  She kept saying "My husband is a good guy, he'll sort this out when he gets home!".  But... he doesn't want to take the blame.  He says that in theory, its not his fault because there should have been a "Plunger" in the regulator, and its not his fault that there wasn't.  He says the previous owners must have removed it in an attempt to 'get to his gas' without his knowledge.  But I had no knowledge that there was ANY chance of gas still coming to this house.  I would have taken precautions had i known.  I mean c'mon.  I was under the understanding that there was no chance in hell, because of the previous lawsuit trying to retain rights to the gas well (big family dispute).  My neighbor is actually the owner of the gas wells brother.  Him and his wife called me this evening, they are urging me to at least call the EPA.  I can't even think straight right now, but i know i am not going down without a fight.  I did walk out to the gas well the next morning, even after only two hours of sleep.  I was sure he'd have somebody out there fixing everything up to standard - the whole way he has this set up is illegal.  The reason the township hit the line with a mower was because they didn't know the line was there.  For one it has to be buried, and for two: it should be charted so they know its there.  I took pictures of everything.  Where it was coming out of the ditch.  Where it was coming into my house.  The big oil tanks back at the well, with NO emergency contact numbers or identification numbers on them whatsoever.  The piece the township hit with the mower, which is just sitting right by the ditch, not even buried in the slightest way.  Its PLASTIC for crying out loud.  The man was trying to blame everyone but himself.  He said it was a "Suicide wish" to not cap off the lines in the basement. We thought they were dead.  Had we tore them out this spring like we had planned, what would have happened when he turned that wrong valve? it still would have leaked out somewhere.  If somebody had come down the road and thrown a cigarette out, they would have blown up the whole neighborhood because it was leaking out of the ditch too!!! He tried blaming me, the previous owners, the township, and EVERYONE but himself. 

He said 10 times he'd only pay my medical bills if it stays civil and "No papers show up at his house".  He was adament about that.  So basically, if i took him to court, he'd fight. 

When i went to take pictures, one of the "Bromine" i think it is called... tanks... was leaking everywhere.  I got pictures of that too.  This man is in BIG trouble.  I don't know the first thing about this stuff, but i will consult a lawyer on Monday.

The lines travel all the way through my neighbors yard, under the road, and to my house.  If it would have blown, it would have blown up EVERYTHING from here to the well.  It could have been horrible.

Get a lawyer.  Don't assume he'll stand by his word because if he's not willing to accept the blame for damaging the line - which he obviously KNEW was there - then there's no promise he will pay the bills.  Oral agreements are NOT binding under law and let's be fair, he's trying to blame YOU for what you had no knowledge of.  Just because you knew about the lawsuit doesn't mean you knew about the status of the line.  He needs to be legally obligated for his negligence and pay not only your bills but your vet bills and restitution for the repairs to your home and land, as well as removal of the old line or at least repairs to it to ensure that this never happens again.

I am so sorry to hear about your loss.  I can't even imagine the terror you must have felt for your animals throughout the ordeal, particularly after having to leave a cage in your home.  I am, admittedly, glad to hear that you've made it out and hope that those who are home help you as I'm sure you're helping them with their own loss.  Keep us updated, k?  *hugs*