Quantcast
HRM, fire dept facing lawsuits over Spryfield fire – Metro US

HRM, fire dept facing lawsuits over Spryfield fire

Insurance companies representing homeowners from last spring’s wildfire in Spryfield are slapping the Halifax Regional Municipality and its fire department with lawsuits.

The lawsuits are concerning the efforts of fire fighters in the blaze that destroyed eight homes, damaged 10 others and forced hundreds of people into rescue shelters.

HRM spokeswoman Shaune MacKinlay said last night she had seen only one lawsuit, but was “expecting more” to come.

HRM plans to file a defence against all the lawsuits.

The CBC reported 18 lawsuits against the HRM and Halifax regional fire department were filed late yesterday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court, totalling about $10 million.

The lawsuit alleges, according to the CBC, the fire department shouldn’t have left hotspots unattended April 29, only to see them flare up the next day.

The CBC reports over the past several months, insurance companies have paid out millions of dollars to people with properties affected by the blaze.

The Department of Natural Resources announced in October the fire was caused by an unextinguished campfire pit.