19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|Breaking News, Weather, ExclusivesNeighbors sue over magnesium-fueled plant fire
CLEVELAND (AP) - Several neighbors have sued a metal recycling business where a magnesium-fueled fire destroyed an industrial complex and knocked out windows in nearby evacuated homes.
John Climaco, an attorney, filed the lawsuit last week against Garfield Alloys Co. of Garfield Heights in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, claiming the company was negligent. He represents residents Mary Ann Fixel, Carolyn and Charles Kurilko Sr., and David and Maria Wittingen.
The lawsuit asked the court to allow a class-action suit that would lump together all residents who were evacuated, suffered property damage and breathed smoke from the Dec. 29-30 fire.
The lawsuit alleged that the company did not follow safe practices, failed to train its employees properly and had insufficient firefighting plans.
Other lawyers have been interviewing residents and researching possible causes.
The state fire marshal blamed the fire on a grinder used to open a chemical drum.
Garfield Alloys could not be reached for comment. Calls to its two listed locations went unanswered early Friday before regular business hours.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
