New York ( CNN ) -- Seventeen families from the New York City borough of Queens are planning to sue the Long Island Power Authority ( LIPA ) , blaming the company for a devastating fire that destroyed more than 130 homes during Superstorm Sandy . `` Damages were sustained as a result of the negligence , gross negligence , carelessness and recklessness of the Long Island Power Authority , '' the plaintiffs say in their `` notice of claim , '' which is a filing required in many areas before a lawsuit can occur . `` At no time before or during the storm surge in Breezy Point ( a Queens beachside neighborhood ) , and in the Rockaway Peninsula , generally , did respondent Long Island Power Authority suspend provision of electricity in those areas , '' the plaintiffs state . The notice of claim maintains that despite flood and storm warnings , and knowledge that Breezy Point was in the mandatory evacuation zone , LIPA failed to shut down or `` de-energize '' power in the area , which would have prevented the blaze . Wind , rain , snow and fire : The storm that broke records -- and hearts . A spokesman for LIPA , Mark Gross , said Tuesday : `` We reviewed the notices of claim , and have no comment at this time . '' The claim quotes New York City Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano as saying the fires `` were sparked by sea water impacting electrical systems and components in and around these structures . '' Referring to the plantiffs in the case , the notice of claim declares , `` The Breezy Point neighborhood , including ( plaintiffs ' houses ) , turned into an inferno ... The fire spread to destroy more than 130 homes and severely damaged approximately 30 others . '' The filing also contends that LIPA knew the risks posed by the impending floodwater , and says that the company took necessary precautions in other parts of Long Island and had taken similar steps in Breezy Point during past storms . `` There 's no rational reason for not cutting the power , '' said Bob Sullivan , a partner at Sullivan , Papain , Block , McGrath & Cannavo , the firm representing the plaintiffs . `` To temporarily cut that power would have prevented these fires . '' Interactive : Superstorm Sandy 's victims . Linda Strong , one of the plaintiffs , was born in Breezy Point and lost the house she moved into in 1979 during the fire . `` I went to my son 's in Bensonhurst and their power was turned off because of the water coming up , '' Strong told CNN . Sitting in candlelight at her son 's house , Strong thought the same precautionary measures had been taken in her community . `` I had no idea my house was burning down , '' she said . The 17 claimant families plan to seek $ 1 million each in damages , according to the notice of claim . Sullivan said he expects that additional parties will be permitted to make subsequent claims , given the circumstances surrounding the case . `` I think the lawsuit has teeth , '' Sullivan told CNN . `` I think it 'll be successful . By the numbers : Superstorm Sandy .
The NYC borough of Queens was hit hard by Superstorm Sandy . In one neighborhood , a fire destroyed scores of homes . Hide Caption 8 of 12 Photos:Photos: New York recovers from Sandy New York recovers from Sandy – A man walks through the debris in Breezy Point. Families say LIPA was negligence in not shutting off electricity to the area .