GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — A Grand Island man is seeking $400,000 from the city of Grand Island, saying a major error by the city’s utility department “fried” his house.

Michael Brewer’s claim says that on Oct. 23, city utility crews hooked power lines to his house backward. The error caused Brewer’s appliances and walls to ignite. It ruined the house’s wiring, plumbing, furnace, air conditioner, sprinkler system and personal property in the house.

The effect, Brewer said, “was like the house was hit by lightning.”

Grand Island Utilities Director Tim Luchsinger did not contest the department’s fault.

The City Council has six months to either approve or deny the claim. If it denies the claim or does nothing, Brewer has the right to sue.