San Antonio Couple Sues CPS Energy After Transformer Explosion Damages Home
Lawsuit Claims Utility and Equipment Companies Failed to Prevent Fire
Homeowners Seek More Than $1 Million
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – A San Antonio couple has filed a lawsuit against CPS Energy and two electrical equipment companies after a transformer explosion outside their home caused major damage and left both homeowners injured.
Johnny and Irene Sanchez filed the lawsuit May 4 in Bexar County’s 166th District Court. The suit seeks more than $1 million in damages from CPS Energy, KBS Electrical Distributors Inc. and JSHP Transformer USA Corporation.
The couple is represented by Falcon Law Group, PLLC, and has requested a jury trial.
Explosion Caused Extensive Damage
According to the lawsuit, the explosion happened Feb. 8, 2026, outside the couple’s home in the 1000 block of Fillmore Drive.
Security camera footage allegedly captured a fire beginning at CPS Energy transformer unit #2300562, which was located in the front yard.
The lawsuit says two vehicles quickly caught fire before flames spread to the garage, attic and main structure of the home.
When firefighters arrived, the home had suffered “catastrophic structural damage,” according to court filings. The couple says they have not been able to return to the property since the fire.
Lawsuit Points to Transformer Failure
The lawsuit alleges the explosion was caused by a failed weld on the transformer.
Representatives from the transformer manufacturer determined that the unit’s bottom weld failed, causing the loss of about 55 gallons of mineral oil coolant. The lawsuit claims that condition directly caused the explosion and resulting fire.
Attorneys for the couple argue the incident reflects both a manufacturing defect and inadequate maintenance and inspection by CPS Energy over several years.
The suit also accuses CPS Energy of replacing the transformer the same evening as the fire before an independent investigation could be completed.
The couple alleges that replacing the equipment destroyed evidence tied to the cause of the explosion.
Prior Lawsuit Cited
The complaint references an earlier Bexar County case involving CPS Energy that resulted in a $109 million jury verdict in 2021.
According to the lawsuit, that earlier case involved similar allegations connected to maintenance failures. Attorneys for the San Antonio couple argue the previous verdict put the utility on notice that transformer problems could lead to severe damage.
Injuries Detailed in Court Filing
The lawsuit states that both Johnny and Irene Sanchez suffered smoke inhalation, physical injuries and emotional trauma while escaping the fire.
Irene Sanchez allegedly suffered an ankle fracture, a partial tendon tear and a recurrence of hypertension.
Johnny Sanchez reportedly suffered four-level cervical disc herniations along with post-traumatic headaches.
Court documents say the couple’s combined medical bills have already reached about $38,280, with additional treatment expected.
Case Heads Toward Trial
The lawsuit seeks compensation for property damage, medical expenses and other losses connected to the explosion and fire.
Neither CPS Energy nor the two equipment companies had publicly responded to the allegations at the time of the filing.
The case now moves forward in Bexar County district court, where a jury could eventually decide whether the utility and manufacturers bear responsibility for the explosion and resulting damage.